Dread is about a university student and philosophy major, Stephen, who meets a very peculiar student named Quaid. Quaid suggests to Stephen that he and himself should make a documentary about what people dread in life. Along with their bud Cheryl, they start interviewing students, but… More
Dread is about a university student and philosophy major, Stephen, who meets a very peculiar student named Quaid. Quaid suggests to Stephen that he and himself should make a documentary about what people dread in life. Along with their bud Cheryl, they start interviewing students, but none seem right to Quaid, who is looking for a bit more trauma than just a fear. And when some expose some of their own personal dread, Quaid decides he wants to make them go through their fears like he did when he saw his parents getting murdered by an ax-wielding maniac at a very young age.
Dread is a film-adaptation of a Clive Barker short story with the same name. The story was included in the short story collection, "Books of Blood." And while the story isn't my favorite Clive Barker story, the film is a very good adaptation (which is hard to do with Clive Barker stories). It's written and directed by Anthony DiBlasi, who also co-produced some other Clive Barker adaptations (Midnight Meat Train, Books of Blood). He really understands the content of the story and knows what to do with Clive Barker adaptations.
The acting in this is also very well done. You have Jackson Rathbone, who you may remember from the Twilight Saga plays the part of Stephen. He shines because we buy him as a normal protagonist who's been thrust upon a bad situation (or maybe a bad person) and he does a great part playing the part. You also have Shaun Evans, who plays the part of Quaid. It's a really good horror film when an actor plays a villain who you don't want to win, but you're excited to find out what he does next.
What really stands out about this film, though, is the 3rd act, which is brutal and ruthless. It's one that you don't see coming, even though you're expecting something to happen from Quaid. And the ending is something that?..well, I can't really talk about without spoiling what it really is. But, let's just say, it's not a fairy-tale ending (but were you really expecting that) and it's something also that you don't see coming.Dark, brutal, and twisted. I love it.