Dread (2009)

Number Rolled: 3

Movie Name/Year: Dread (2009)

Genre: Horror

Length: 94 minutes

Rating: R

Director: Anthony DiBlasi

Writer: Clive Barker, Anthony DiBlasi

Actors: Jackson Rathbone, Hanne Steen, Laura Donnelly, Jonathan Readwin, Shaun Evans, Vivian Gray, Carl McCrystal, Derek Lea, Siobhan Hewlett, Kieran Murphy

Two college students, Stephen and Quaid, bond over a cigarette after class. After hanging out, they decide to work together with another classmate, Cheryl; using a fear study for their joint thesis. As they interview people about their deepest fears, they begin to see each other’s own dark pasts.

This film was harrowing. Not immediately, but sometime around the middle, “Dread” truly began living up to its name. I have some theories as to why I found this film so terrifying and heart-stopping, but they’re just theories. I’ve watched torture porns of all shapes and sizes without blinking an eye. Hell, I’ve done some consulting work at a morgue. However, when this movie finally reached its climax, I found it almost difficult to watch. Not because it was bad, but because the fear it instilled in me was something I haven’t felt, while watching a movie, since I was a little girl.

A lot of horror movies rely on shock factor and gore in order to elicit emotions from viewers. “Dread” does have gore, and there’s a minor amount of shock, but for the most part you’re told exactly what’s going to happen. In this instance, it doesn’t cheapen the story. In fact, knowing what’s coming makes it even more difficult to handle.

For little known actors, I though the main characters were amazing. Shaun Evans is creepy. He’s supposed to be creepy in the film, and he pulls it off well. More than once he made me shiver a little.

“Dread” wasn’t what I expected it to be. The blurb Netflix offered really didn’t do it justice. I’m glad that I got to see it before it expires on 3/1/14.

Netflix’s Prediction for Me – 3.6/5

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – None

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 45%

Trust-the-Dice Score – 3.5/5

Movie Trailer: I posted the trailer because I always do, but I recommend it not be watched first. Apparently some editors have decided that spoilers are the best way to make people see a movie.