Dir. Jack Frost and Antoine Thomas, Italy/Canada, 88 mins, 2010
Cast. Sean Clement, Simonetta Solder, Jordan Hayes, Devon Bostick, Jason Blicker, Bjanka Murgel
Review by Michelle Moore
Have you ever casually watched a movie, letting it play and then suddenly something has happened that has grasped your attention for the remainder of the movie? That is exactly what it was like watching Hidden, the element that grasps your attention being the opening sequence, where a Doctor claims she can cure addictions by getting them to manifest into a physical form and then surgically remove them. However, her work develops much further as the physical manifestations begin to have vital signs. She poses a question, “can addictions have a life of their own?” the answer in this movie, is yes!
Next we see a man hearing he has inherited The Sanctuary, the building his mother, the Doctor, used in her business. He takes a team to investigate this controversial experimental addiction treatment centre and this is where the film really gets interesting, intriguing and engaging. It is as the monastery-like house is being explored that the viewer gets the first impression that something isn’t quite right with this building. As you are pulled further into the story, it is the creeks, shadows and silhouettes that take hold of your attention. There is much suspense built up along the way, sometimes figures appearing, while at other times having nothing there. This suspense sends shivers through your body and will on occasions make you jump from your seat.
As the visitors to the building explore the hidden passageways and dark bowels of the structure, there is this underlying concept linking the swarms of fireflies that are buzzing around and causing mayhem to the physical addictions that have manifested. They buzz from location to location, luring victims into death traps and pray on their weaknesses. This concept is really something quite intriguing and plays on the mind. As it does so, it is the human form they turn into that will have you slightly unnerved; the appearance of the physical addictions is as children and they are some of the scariest little beings you will see, especially when they open their mouths. As the movie draw to its central point, the moment you find out how the manifestations have survived and been cared for, you will be unable to focus on anything else around. Your attention is centred on one thing and one thing only and that is what will happen next.
Although the cast attributed to this film may not be particularly well known, they have managed to create a brilliantly shivering tale of doom and supernatural darkness, which goes to prove you don’t need major movie starts to make a successful horror flick. Hidden is certainly an attention grabber and will have you glued to the screen at every moment.
Hidden 3D is released October 10th on DVD and Blu-Ray, with includes the full stereoscopic 3D version
