Torment (2013 film)
| Torment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Jordan Barker |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Boris Mojsovski |
| Edited by | Stephen Philipson |
| Music by | Trevor Yulle |
Production company | Gearshift Films |
| Distributed by | Vertical Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Torment is a 2013 Canadian horror film directed by Jordan Barker. The film had its world premiere on October 11, 2013, at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival. It stars Katharine Isabelle as a woman who must try to save her step-son from an insane family.[1]
Synopsis
Sarah (Katharine Isabelle) and Cory (Robin Dunne) have decided to go on vacation, taking Cory's young son Liam with them. They're hoping that the vacation will help ease some of the issues that Liam has with Sarah, as he resents that his widowed father remarried. The destination seems ideal, a luxurious house in the middle of an idyllic wilderness, but upon their arrival they discover that someone has been living in the house. The local sheriff assures them that the intruders have probably moved on, but this soon proves to be false as Liam goes missing that same night. Sarah and Cory now have to try to fight an insane family for not only Liam, but also their very lives.
Cast
- Katharine Isabelle as Sarah Morgan
- Robin Dunne as Cory Morgan
- Amy Forsyth as Mary Bronson/Little Monkey
- Stephen McHattie as Officer Hawkings
Production
Plans to create Torment were officially announced in 2012,[2] and Katharine Isabelle was later confirmed to be performing in the movie.[3] While making the film, Barker chose to make some changes to the script such as trying to add in motivation for the insane family's torture of the Morgan family.[4] The crew experienced some difficulty with lighting, as Torment had a tight budget.[4] As a result Barker decided to use darkness in order to increase the film's tension.[4]
Release
Vertical Entertainment bought the U.S. distribution rights at the Berlin International Film Festival.[5] Phase 4 Films released it on video on demand on 10 June 2014[6] and on DVD on 15 July 2014.[7]
Reception
Fearnet praised the film's acting and character development, as they felt that this, along with other elements, made the movie "quick, quiet, creepy, and admirably suspenseful".[8] Patrick Cooper of Bloody Disgusting rated it 3/5 stars and wrote, "But while the plot may lack any stimulating elements, Torment makes up for it with its slick presentation and brooding atmosphere."[7]
References
- ^ "Screamfest LA 2013 Exclusive: Filmmaker Jordan Barker and Star Katharine Isabelle Talk Torment World Premiere". Dread Central. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Filmax hit Cannes with 3 new genre flicks: Returned, Torment & I Will Die Tonight". JoBlo. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Katharine Isabelle to lead Filmax's Torment". JoBlo. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ a b c "Screamfest 2013: Jordan Barker on Torment". Crave Online. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
- ^ Hopewell, John (6 February 2014). "Berlin: Vertical Ent. Brings Horror 'Torment' to the U.S. (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Turek, Ryan (27 May 2014). "Katharine Isabelle-Starring Home Invasion Thriller Torment Comes to VOD". Shock Till You Drop. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ a b Cooper, Patrick (12 June 2014). "[Review] 'Torment' Is a Slick, Brooding Home Invasion Thriller". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Weinberg, Scott. "Torment (review)". Fearnet. Retrieved 24 January 2014.