As someone who's always been underwhelmed by the "Amityville" franchise, and deliberately skipped a few sequels due to the 'can't-be-bothered' syndrome, I must admit I'm pleasantly surprised by this 2017-attempt to revive the series. What this format needed was a skillful and devoted writer/director, and that's exactly what Franck Khalfoun is. He already proved he can mount and maintain tension, with both "P2" and "Maniac", and he does just that here as well. "Amityville: The Awakening" is continuously atmospheric and often even downright unsettling, and this in spite of a mundane and derivative story.
Single mother Leigh moves with her three children, one of which is in a permanently comatose state, into the infamous Long Island residence with the ominous windows. While the teenage daughter is the subject of mockery at school, apparently because she's the only person in the world who didn't know about the house's sinister history, the mother keeps hoping for an improvement in her son's condition. And - surprise - James does start showing signs of life again! But is it really a medical miracle, or just part of the Amityville House's diabolical plan?
"Amityville: The Awakening" isn't a great horror film, or even that memorable, but it contains a handful of tense moments, likeable performances, and a creepy ending that perfectly links back to the original film. What I personally didn't like, but sadly it's very trendy and popular nowadays, are the "meta-horror" aspects. At one point during the film, the daughter and her friends watch the actual original 1979-original, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring James Brolin.
Single mother Leigh moves with her three children, one of which is in a permanently comatose state, into the infamous Long Island residence with the ominous windows. While the teenage daughter is the subject of mockery at school, apparently because she's the only person in the world who didn't know about the house's sinister history, the mother keeps hoping for an improvement in her son's condition. And - surprise - James does start showing signs of life again! But is it really a medical miracle, or just part of the Amityville House's diabolical plan?
"Amityville: The Awakening" isn't a great horror film, or even that memorable, but it contains a handful of tense moments, likeable performances, and a creepy ending that perfectly links back to the original film. What I personally didn't like, but sadly it's very trendy and popular nowadays, are the "meta-horror" aspects. At one point during the film, the daughter and her friends watch the actual original 1979-original, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring James Brolin.