Exhumed (2011) User Reviews (8)

Utterly Pointless

[ArdentViewer · 2/10 · 31 January 2015]

I fell victim to the obviously fake reviews singing the praises of this movie. Yes, the film had a noir feel to it and its throwback nature was seemingly intriguing (at first). I can't say anything else positive about it. The repetitive musical theme was horrendous. Much of the acting was wooden or grossly exaggerated. The characters were not sympathetic. The plot ... wait, what plot? I kept waiting .... and waiting ... and waiting for some kind of payoff, explanation, resolution, ANYTHING. But nothing happened. I was more confused at the end than at the beginning. If you are going to keep the viewer in the dark the entire time, you need to provide SOMETHING - some reason or revelation that made it all worthwhile.

This movie makes any previously disconnected, choppy, ambiguous, or otherwise non- cohesive film seem Oscar-worthy. Heck, I'd take a shallow, bloody, gratuitous B-grade horror flick over this. At least with those crappy movies you know what is going on - even if you wish you didn't.

If each of the elements had been woven together to form create a meaningful whole, this movie might have been redeemable. Even an ugly, poorly knitted afghan is better than no afghan at all. But as it stands, we are left with these disparate strands of yarn that no one even tried to combine.

Possibly One of the Worst Films I Have Seen

[DwainLeland · 2/10 · 5 July 2013]

I'm sorry, but I have to give this movie two thumbs way, way down. I disagree with the other reviewers on most every point they make. The acting was quite poor, the pacing was slow, and the plot was nonexistent. Though the cinematography was good at points, and a valiant attempt was made at a nostalgic film-noir feel, it just fell too short to even be appreciated for any type of novelty or experimental quality.

SPOILER If you invest the two hours you will need to finish this film, you will be sorely disappointed and never be satisfied with any answers as to who these people are, why you should care about any of them, why they are in the situation they are in (although you might have enough clues to form a theory), and why they behave as they do. David Lynch is famous for having many of these qualities in his films, and I love his work, however he is a master at atmosphere and psychology, both of which this film tries to achieve but miserably fails to reach.

The sole standout performance, and perhaps the only anchor that may pretend to hold the film down is Evalena Marie as Rocki. All the other actors grate on the nerves and treat the script and each other as if they haven't even yet graduated from community theater. Just terrible.

One final point: The other four reviews for this film are so suspiciously positive and glowing in their surveys that I question their authenticity and wonder whether these are folks that either worked on the film or invested in its production. It just feels too smarmy and inauthentic. My aim here is to add a dose of realism to the profile for this film and take it down a few pegs to the low status at which it belongs (save Ms. Marie's performance).

In short, do not waste your time on this film - life is too short for this kind of low-quality drivel. I, for one, would like this two hours of my life back, please.

DL

Arty wannabe

[Leofwine_draca · 2/10 · 7 December 2018]

EXHUMED is an arty wannabe-horror indie flick from the USA, shot in black and white to give it an appropriately classy look. Unfortunately the content doesn't match the style, and this is slow, slow, slow. A family are seemingly trapped in a house and pretty soon descend into madness and murder, but the emphasis on simplistic bloodshed means that this isn't as classy as it thinks it is.

Amazing Piece of Noir

[tcoll32 · 10/10 · 27 November 2011]

Every once and a while you get someone who takes a chance and does something different with a genre that is either out of favor or is just plain tired. Exhumed is a great example of the use of minimalistic sets and scenery but it gets the maximum value from them. Almost the entire film is shot in this big creepy house. The house is populated by a truly diverse cast of characters each bringing their own subtle and sometimes not so subtle nuances to the story. The film revolves around the extremely weird dynamic of the residents of this particular house. Starting with the Butler and the Governess played to the nines by Debbie Rochon and Michael Thurber. For me this was my first experience getting to see Michael work on such a substantial character and I have to say that he and Debbie are the anchor that keeps the story in place. The rest of the cast is played brilliantly by Sarah Nicklin as Laura a somewhat off kilter person that isn't necessarily grounded in reality. Next is Evalena Marie who plays Rocki, who is a little rebellious, uninhibited and is the boundless energy of the group. Next is Richard Tretheway as Lance who may have been something else at one time but is now just burned out on life. Finally the group is rounded off by Michael Reed as Chris, a college kid renting the room to get off campus. His character is the most normal of the group and he hits it off with Laura, who is smitten with him. This puts him in direct conflict with the Governess who has a love/hate relationship with Laura. As the film progresses the group falls deeper and deeper into darkness. This film is a treat to see as it was a beautiful character study and at the same time so compelling. For Michael and Sarah it was probably my favorite performances of both actors and it also introduced me to Evalena's skills. One of the best parts of the film is that it is shot entirely in black and white and I can not emphasize enough on how great this sets the mood of the entire film. This is something other film makers would be advised to take a look at since this can take and change the tone of your film instantly. Well shot and again an excellent directing job by Richard Griffin along with Guy Benoit's top notch script this film is worth seeing in the theater if you are lucky enough to get to a screening or at least definitely worth buying when it comes out on DVD.

The Type of Horror Film You Just Don't See Anymore

[Pycal · 7/10 · 6 August 2012]

Director Richard Griffin's film EXHUMED is a dark, low-budget horror flick that succeeds on many levels. Shot entirely in RI (or at least entirely in Southern New England for sure), the movie is grim, nihilistic, and full of nice doses of black humor. To describe it best, it's almost like a "haunted house" movie about a dysfunctional family.

However, the film's greatest strength lies in its ability to feel fresh (though it does gain part of this edge simply from being made in a time suffering from a cesspool of banal films and an over-saturated film-market). Oddly enough, the film's freshness seems to come out in a weird (if seemingly contradictory) way by capturing the look and atmosphere of horror films of old. The micro-budget, black and white (often shot on one location), character centered horror films of the 60s. Director Jack Hill's 1968 flick SPIDER BABY comes off as the closest example of the type to EXHUMED and may have even influenced it. Despite being (welcomely) old fashioned, the film is set entirely in the present. EXHUMED is that kind of movie (sort of like say, PULP FICTION) that even though set in the present day for when it was filmed, feels strangely like it belongs in another time frame or even firmly in the film's own uniquely created world. EXHUHMED definitely has a timeless quality to it.

While Richard Griffin and screenwriter Guy Benoit deserve a lot of credit for crafting this great flick, cinematographer Ken Willinger and his crew deserve a huge shout out for providing some beautiful cinematography. The stark, low-key film-noir look to the film is pitch perfect and creates quite the atmospheric little horror flick.

EXHUMED isn't a perfect film by any means, but it easily stands as one of the finest films (and possibly best horror flick) of 2011.

Superior psychological horror gem

[Woodyanders · 9/10 · 25 June 2013]

A twisted and mysterious family are unable to leave their home for some unknown reason. When they decide to turn their captivity into a sick and violent game, it challenges their very reality and puts all of their lives in great jeopardy. Director Richard Griffin, working from a subtle and original script by Guy Benoit, relates the morbidly fascinating story at a stately pace, maintains a dark serious tone throughout, and does a bang-up job of creating a quietly spooky and unsettling atmosphere. Better still, Griffin and Benoit adroitly explore the most grim, scary, and disturbing kind of horror in existence: The horror of the human mind, with a specific chilling emphasis on its capacity for extreme cruelty and madness. The top-notch acting by the first-rate cast keeps the picture on track: The always dependable Debbie Rochon dominates the proceedings with her stand-out portrayal of stern and domineering matriarch the Governess, Sarah Nicklin projects a disarmingly sweet appeal as child-like innocent Laura, and Michael Reed delivers a sound and engaging performance as charming and handsome boarder Chris, plus there are fine contributions from Michael Thurber as the snide butler, Evalena Marie as the brash and sexy Rocki, and Rich Tretheway as gentle oaf Lance. Gorgeously shot in stark noirish black and white by Ken Willinger, with a delicately eerie score, several startling moments of sudden savage violence, and a haunting final image, it's one to relish.

Interesting weirdo microbudget movie

[Wyatt4U · 7/10 · 21 August 2022]

It's so weird to read reviews on IMDb. We'll, if it isn't Lynch level, then it is obviously crap?

There's some leeway you certainly need to give to the microbudget cinema that exists out there. If you can't make that distinction simply by watching a film's trailer, I'm not so sure I can trust your review.

That said, it is incredibly rare in my experience to find a microbudget film that I can make it through entirely. It's so tough to watch a production trying to follow the studio horror playbook with far fewer resources. This one tries something different with odd narrative and equally strange performance choices. There's integrity here, and I can respect that.

I do think it has a very niche audience. Artsy horror without a budget is not something I see people applauding regularly online. It's usually something relegated to prospective filmmakers and those who scour the nadir of cinema looking for something of substance. If that sounds like you, Exhumed might be up your alley.

Very Good Indie Horror Flick

[Izlahainia · 7/10 · 4 September 2012]

Richard Griffin's best. Writer Guy Beniot hit a home run with a very haunting script. I really hope griffin will stay with this style of movie.

Amazing cast. Evelena Marie is mesmerizing. The usual griffin cast backs her up to the hilt. Sarah Nicklin, Michael reed, Michael Thurber and the rest of the cast can be proud.

I would encourage anyone that enjoys horror to check this flick out. It's a low budget movie without a low budget feel. Guy Benoit is a writer to watch. in the future. And Evelena Marie is the actress to watch!