A delightfully ghoulish mixture of thriller and gore, directed by Matt Stuertz, TONIGHT SHE COMES redefines the essence of horror cinematography, breathing new life into a genre where not many stones have been left unturned. Drenched in blood and captivatingly immersive, the film entangles you into the lives of its characters. Initially a slow burner as we are introduced to the protagonists, the film really comes into its element after a few wonderfully gory deaths. Filled with surprise twists and turns at every corner, not to mention the occasional chair-gripping moment of genuine fright, TONIGHT SHE COMES seeks to challenge everything you thought you knew about horror films.
Set over the course of 24 hours (the passing of time being presented through occasional intertitles) the film begins by following two girls, Lyndsey (Cameisha Cotton) and Ashley (Larissa White), as they head to their missing friend Kristy’s (Dal Nicole) cabin in the woods for a night of booze and mischief. Whilst there they stumble upon James (Nathan Eswine) asleep in the shed after failing to deliver post to Kristy’s house. James’ friend Pete (Adam Hartley) discovers a naked Kristy/”her” laying in the woods beyond the lake and wakes her. From this point on all hell breaks loose. What starts as a typical slasher film turns quickly into a frightening tale of demonic possession, Satan-worshipping and messy blood scarifies, instigated by the introduction of two new characters during the films half-way point. Promoted with the tag-line “Everyone Must Die” it truly does not disappoint, with the next death bringing more gore and destruction than the last.
It is good to go into this film with a mind to not to take it too seriously…
By far the most compelling aspect of the film is how it has been shot and edited to completely immerse you in the action. Through the use of cleverly planned and perfectly executed point-of-view shots you become Felicity (Jenna McDonald) and Phillip (Brock Russell) as they watch the group of friends search the grounds of the property. Combined with the personal close-up shots of each of the characters you are simultaneously placed in the position of the victim and the intruder. The one that is being watched and the one doing the watching.
It is good to go into this film with a mind to not to take it too seriously, the dialogue and character interactions don’t exactly allow for a particularly serious viewing experience and the script can only be described as being “so bad that it’s good”. Nevertheless it is accompanied by a fantastically synth heavy soundtrack (undoubtly paying homage to the films of John Carpenter) which complements the action on-screen.
TONIGHT SHE COMES is, overall, a reasonably enjoyable watch which manages to surprise you right up until the last minute of its blood drenched glory.