Frightfest 2024: ‘I Will Never Leave You Alone’ & ‘Happy Halloween’ Review(s)

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE

Stars: Ken Trujillo, Katerina Eichenberger, Emma Anne Wedemeyer, Chris Genovese | Directed by D.W. Medoff

I Will Never Leave You Alone, directed by D.W. Medoff, is a haunting and emotionally intense horror film that premiered at this year’s FrightFest. The film centres on Richard, portrayed by Kenneth Trujillo, an ex-convict haunted by his dark past. Upon his release from prison, Richard is forced to stay in a haunted house for six days as part of an unusual arrangement; if he leaves, he will be sent back to prison. As he endures the horrors within, both supernatural and personal, Richard’s past trauma resurfaces, creating a chilling and deeply unsettling atmosphere.

The film is held together by Trujillo’s performance, and his fantastic ability to convey a wide range of emotions through silence and subtle expressions, which adds depth to the character and makes his suffering palpable. I Will Never Leave You Alone blends traditional haunted house elements with a powerful exploration of grief, guilt, and depression, making it more than just a horror movie. Its exploration of mental health issues, especially through the metaphor of the haunted house, adds layers of meaning that resonate with viewers who have experienced intense emotional struggles.

The film’s atmospheric tension and emotional weight are without a doubt the film’s strongest aspect, withI Will Never Leave You Alone‘s horror elements, while well-executed, feel fairly typical of the genre. Nonetheless, the combination of Medoff’s direction, Trujillo’s performance, and the film’s thematic depth make Medoff’s film a standout of this year’s Frightfest, and the genre as a whole.

**** 4/5

I Will Never Leave You Alone screened on Thursday, August 22nd, as part of this year’s Frightfest London.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Stars: Emma Reinagel, Aline O’Neill, Graham Weldin, Cameron Mabie, Jack Cathcart | Directed by Brittney Greer

Happy Halloween is a throwback slasher film that pays homage to classic horror franchises like Scream and Halloween. Directed by Brittney Greer – who continues the tradition of women helming slasher movies, following in the footsteps of Amy Holden Jones, Deborah Brock, and Danishka Esterhazy – the film is set in a small midwestern town which is celebrating its 300th birthday with festivities, including a Halloween dance and corn maze.

The previous All Hallow’s Eve, Hadley Briggs (Emma Reinagel) survived a brutal attack by her ex-boyfriend, which put him in prison. But now a new series of slayings has started with the masked perpetrator making grisly decorations out of their victims’ body parts. Soon, Hadley and her friends find themselves ensnared in a deadly game with the mysterious maniac who haunts their every move, leaving a trail of terror in their wake. With heart-pounding suspense and bone-chilling thrills, a pulse-racing journey for survival.

The film features a strong cast, particularly Emma Reinagel as Hadley, who’s supported by fellow cast mates – Aline O’Neill, Graham Weldin, Cameron Mabie and Jack Cathcart – who feel more “real” than a lot of the so-called teens in many a genre film. The story weaves suspense and a whodunit mystery, with suspects ranging from town officials to Hadley’s friends. The killer’s calling card, the opening death featuring a teenager with “Happy Halloween” carved into his chest, turning the victims into morbid decorations – with photos transmitted to everyone in town in a reflection of the current state of morbid fascination with capturing life’s darker side on camera.

While Happy Halloween borrows heavily from its inspirations, it does so with respect and creativity, though its modest budget is noticeable in some areas. The film’s gore is memorable, the suspense well-maintained, and it hints at a possible sequel with its ending. Overall, this solid entry into the slasher genre, especially for fans of classic horror, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors.

*** 3/5

Happy Halloween screened on Thursday, August 22nd, as part of this year’s Frightfest London.