The Changeover

If you didn't know that this was a book (a good book, perhaps even a great book) for the YA audience, written back in the mid-1980s, then you're missing out. However, this adaptation missed a lot of tricks. Great casting (no denying that) but the plot was deplorable. This is not a great adaptation, in fact, it's a travesty that would probably have the author spinning in her grave. That they used this title and these character names makes me angry because the plot has absolutely nothing to do with the book they say it's 'adapted from'. Why anyone thought this was a good idea is beyond me. I am not a fan of adaptations at the best of times but this was just horrific. I can't believe I put myself through the time it took to watch it.

The blending of genres makes it difficult to pin down, and that might be its greatest strength: tone-wise, it feels like a dark YA film with horror vibes. It clearly didn't have the budget to match some of the bigger productions in the teen supernatural category, but that also works positively to make it feel different, a bit grittier. The screenplay has some difficulty balancing the supernatural elements with everything else – in fact, for a film that revolves around magic, there is precious little of that going on and it doesn't even try to explain the what, why and how (even the few flimsy rules that it does outline don't make much sense once you stop to think about them). Nevertheless, despite that, it's clear that ‘The Changeover' was never really about the magic: the actual core message that it's trying to get across is about grief and the darkness that comes with it; how it grows inside of you like a larvae and you have to look within yourself and deal with it if you want to continue, even if you'll never be the same afterwards. And when you consider that, I have to say that it does a pretty impressive job and ends on a strong note.

Very heartfelt. Well acted. If you like teen drama witchcraft done well, then this is for you.

Really well done. There is something truly heartfelt at its core that gets across.

Wonderful excercise in storytelling and which parts of a movie production should get the special effects budgeting and which can be told through storytelling - strong cast

CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a movie suited more teens imo. It's a supernatural mystery film that's pretty light/easy to get through. There's nothing that really stands out. It's not the worst film you'll see but it's also nothing to write home about. It's pretty blah.

Spooky, clever, original. Would rewatch

lack of character development leaves you wondering throughout the movie if you missed something important (you didn't...it wasn't there)

It's creepy, sadistic, merciless and frightening. The Changover evokes pure fear as the lives of Laura Chant and brother Jacko are possessed. A crooked old parasite, Carmody Braque (Timothy Spall) enters the story as a man in a storage crate. He brings to the film anxiousness, suspense and helplessness. A well done movie indeed,