Sam Raimi returns to the horror genre with Drag Me To Hell, an oddly original fairytale-inspired creep fest.
Drag Me To Hell follows Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), a loan officer at a small bank, who is in a wonderful relationship with her supportive boyfriend (Justin Long), and looking forward to her first big promotion. All in all, life looks good for young Christine. That is until the day Mrs. Ganush, an old gypsy woman in danger of losing her home to the bank, comes in to ask for a loan extension. Bucking for the promotion, Christine decides it best for her career to turn down the old woman’s request. Mrs. Ganush begs and pleads with Christine for help, but Christine coldly turns her down. Having been shamed by Christine, Mrs. Ganush lays a curse upon Christine, a curse that will change her life completely.
The film plays out in classic Raimi form; moments of true horror are quickly made bizarrely humorous. Fans of the Evil Dead films will feel right at home with the goofy demons and well-quipped one-liners. The film plays almost like The Grudge filtered through Beetlejuice. Drag Me To Hell also wears its PG-13 rating decision well, the story does not seem stripped down to accommodate teenage viewers. You will still get your requisite gore, as well as some truly frightening moments. The film seems to offer up something to gross out and disturb everyone, the mark of any horror film worth its salt.
I was impressed with the film overall, although there were some moments that I could have gone without. The plot is original, and the story arc is not quite what I expected. All in all, the film delivered a story that I wanted to hear, and some moments that will cause this film to come to mind the next time a customer asks for a horror recommendation. Just in time for Halloween, Drag Me To Hell is a perfect film this holiday season. Might I also recommend you take a look back at the Evil Dead trilogy as well. – [DVD]
Horror/Thriller
Rated PG-13
DVD Release Date: 10/13/09
[...] DRAG ME TO HELL [...]