Burnt Offering is a psychological horror film that centers on a family of four who moves into an isolated home in the countryside. As they settle into their new home, strange occurrences begin to happen. The father, Steven, played by Scott Rosenfeld, starts to uncover a dark history of the property and fears for his family's safety.
Paige Hullett plays his wife, Melinda, who is initially skeptical of the reports of ghostly activity in the house. However, she begins to experience strange visions and nightmares that make her question her own sanity. Their children, played by Cameron Chester and Schuyler Brumley, also become increasingly disturbed by the eerie environment around them.
As the family delves deeper into the history of the property, they uncover a sinister past involving a religious cult that used to operate on the land. The family must race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before they become victims of the cult's dark rituals.
The cinematography is a standout feature of the film, with beautiful shots of the expansive countryside and hauntingly illuminated interiors of the house. The use of sound design is also noteworthy, with the eerie soundtrack and tense silence building a palpable sense of dread throughout the film.
The performances of the cast are also impressive, particularly Rosenfeld and Hullett's portrayal of the traumatized and terrified parents. Chester's performance as the son is a standout, as he captures the right amount of innocence and fear - a believable portrayal of a child in a terrifying situation.
The film's plot takes a few twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. While it does follow some of the classic horror tropes, it combines them with fresh twists to keep the story feeling fresh and unpredictable.
One potential weakness of the film is its slow pace. Some viewers may find the slow-building tension to be too drawn-out, but for others, the gradual ramp-up of the horror is part of what makes the film so effective. Additionally, while the film is not overly gory, it may be too intense for some viewers.
Overall, Burnt Offering is a well-crafted horror film with strong performances, eerie visuals, and a compelling plot. It's a film that fans of psychological horror will likely enjoy, and it's one that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Burnt Offering is a 2018 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.9.
