Bethany (2017)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring Stefanie Estes, Zack Ward, Tom Green
Directed by James Cullen Bressack
Leaving a troubled and traumatic past proves to be a rather difficult undertaking for a woman in James Cullen Bressack’s latest thriller, Bethany.
Stefanie Estes is the main character here, and her name is Claire, and not to sound overly crass about her particular scenario – but this chick has got some fuckking issues to speak of, ladies and gentlemen! Her dark past is one ripe with emotional abuse at the hands of her domineering mother (played with chilling excellence by Shannen Doherty), and after mom’s death many years later, Claire learns that she’s been willed her childhood home, and it’s time to pack up and head back to the place where it all started.
Flanked by her husband, Aaron (everyone’s favorite bully, Zack Ward), the two have the opportunity to not only (hopefully) heal but also continue on with the chapter that is their life together – easier said than done, that’s for sure. Claire’s only solace back in her childhood during so many instances of duress was that of her imaginary friend, Bethany – holding conversations through thin walls kept Claire at ease, and she always knew that her confidant was there for her… YEESH.
Now that Claire and Aaron have moved into the home, it appears that Bethany isn’t too enamored with the current living situation, and she begins to manifest herself in more ways than one, causing injuries and leaving Aaron to think that his wife is tiptoeing into the crazy end of the pool once again. Even Claire’s psychiatrist (the oddly cast Tom Green) tries to convince her that it’s just her past stirring up again, although Bethany is out to prove that she might not just have been a figment after all – take that, Doc!
The film has some intelligent writing, and it far surpasses the horror element, instead focusing on childhood anguish and its interference into the adult life. With both Bressack’s directorial knowledge and Ward’s screenwriting, it adds up to a decent watch, and aside from some stagnant acting performances, this is really much more than a conventional horror film. Looking at the artwork, one could definitely chalk this up as another low-level, wannabe frightfest, but it’s surely got its moments and should be good enough to check out on a rainy night.
Give this a peek when it comes your way, and please make sure to answer the voices in your walls… they really don’t like being ignored.
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Film
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