the audience applauded

Such a frustrating disappointment

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I'm sorry, but I have to give this movie two thumbs way, way down. I disagree with the other reviewers on most every point they make. The acting was quite poor, the pacing was slow, and the plot was nonexistent. Though the cinematography was good at points, and a valiant attempt was made at a nostalgic film-noir feel, it just fell too short to even be appreciated for any type of novelty or experimental quality.SPOILER If you invest the two hours you will need to finish this film, you will be sorely disappointed and never be satisfied with any answers as to who these people are, why you should care about any of them, why they are in the situation they are in (although you might have enough clues to form a theory), and why they behave as they do. David Lynch is famous for having many of these qualities in his films, and I love his work, however he is a master at atmosphere and psychology, both of which this film tries to achieve but miserably fails to reach.The sole standout performance, and perhaps the only anchor that may pretend to hold the film down is Evalena Marie as Rocki. All the other actors grate on the nerves and treat the script and each other as if they haven't even yet graduated from community theater. Just terrible.One final point: The other four reviews for this film are so suspiciously positive and glowing in their surveys that I question their authenticity and wonder whether these are folks that either worked on the film or invested in its production. It just feels too smarmy and inauthentic. My aim here is to add a dose of realism to the profile for this film and take it down a few pegs to the low status at which it belongs (save Ms. Marie's performance).In short, do not waste your time on this film - life is too short for this kind of low-quality drivel. I, for one, would like this two hours of my life back, please.DL

A twisted and mysterious family are unable to leave their home for some unknown reason. When they decide to turn their captivity into a sick and violent game, it challenges their very reality and puts all of their lives in great jeopardy. Director Richard Griffin, working from a subtle and original script by Guy Benoit, relates the morbidly fascinating story at a stately pace, maintains a dark serious tone throughout, and does a bang-up job of creating a quietly spooky and unsettling atmosphere. Better still, Griffin and Benoit adroitly explore the most grim, scary, and disturbing kind of horror in existence: The horror of the human mind, with a specific chilling emphasis on its capacity for extreme cruelty and madness. The top-notch acting by the first-rate cast keeps the picture on track: The always dependable Debbie Rochon dominates the proceedings with her stand-out portrayal of stern and domineering matriarch the Governess, Sarah Nicklin projects a disarmingly sweet appeal as child-like innocent Laura, and Michael Reed delivers a sound and engaging performance as charming and handsome boarder Chris, plus there are fine contributions from Michael Thurber as the snide butler, Evalena Marie as the brash and sexy Rocki, and Rich Tretheway as gentle oaf Lance. Gorgeously shot in stark noirish black and white by Ken Willinger, with a delicately eerie score, several startling moments of sudden savage violence, and a haunting final image, it's one to relish.

Richard Griffin's best. Writer Guy Beniot hit a home run with a very haunting script. I really hope griffin will stay with this style of movie.Amazing cast. Evelena Marie is mesmerizing. The usual griffin cast backs her up to the hilt. Sarah Nicklin, Michael reed, Michael Thurber and the rest of the cast can be proud.I would encourage anyone that enjoys horror to check this flick out. It's a low budget movie without a low budget feel. Guy Benoit is a writer to watch. in the future. And Evelena Marie is the actress to watch!

Director Richard Griffin's film EXHUMED is a dark, low-budget horror flick that succeeds on many levels. Shot entirely in RI (or at least entirely in Southern New England for sure), the movie is grim, nihilistic, and full of nice doses of black humor. To describe it best, it's almost like a "haunted house" movie about a dysfunctional family.However, the film's greatest strength lies in its ability to feel fresh (though it does gain part of this edge simply from being made in a time suffering from a cesspool of banal films and an over-saturated film-market). Oddly enough, the film's freshness seems to come out in a weird (if seemingly contradictory) way by capturing the look and atmosphere of horror films of old. The micro-budget, black and white (often shot on one location), character centered horror films of the 60s. Director Jack Hill's 1968 flick SPIDER BABY comes off as the closest example of the type to EXHUMED and may have even influenced it. Despite being (welcomely) old fashioned, the film is set entirely in the present. EXHUMED is that kind of movie (sort of like say, PULP FICTION) that even though set in the present day for when it was filmed, feels strangely like it belongs in another time frame or even firmly in the film's own uniquely created world. EXHUHMED definitely has a timeless quality to it.While Richard Griffin and screenwriter Guy Benoit deserve a lot of credit for crafting this great flick, cinematographer Ken Willinger and his crew deserve a huge shout out for providing some beautiful cinematography. The stark, low-key film-noir look to the film is pitch perfect and creates quite the atmospheric little horror flick.EXHUMED isn't a perfect film by any means, but it easily stands as one of the finest films (and possibly best horror flick) of 2011.