Don't Knock Twice (2016)

Synopsis

A mother desperate to reconnect with her troubled daughter becomes embroiled in the urban legend of a demonic witch.

Review

It's bizarre, following the careers of writers  Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler. Thomas the Tank Engine, The Moomins, Howl, Thomas the Tank Engine, Don't Knock Twice. Huh. Weird. Can't knock them though - they know how to scare.

Following the excellent Brit horror, Howl, Huckerby and Ostler team up once again for Don't Knock Twice - a well grounded horror movie with a strong cast. In the Director's chair we have Caradog W. James (Little White Lies). The premise is simple - knock on the haunted houses door twice, and the witch comes to get you.

Beginning with a sculptor trying to reconnect with her long abandoned daughter, the movie quickly gets to the action with fostered Chloe out with her boyfriend, almost daring each other to knock on the door of the house with a secret. The elderly woman - a suspect in the disappearance of one of their friends years back - killed herself there. The two knock - and of course nothing happens. Until later that night.

With a touch of J-horror to the plot, there are plenty of scares from Director, James. It's atmospheric, and creepy as all Hell. The consistent flow of the film keeps it moving without lulls and dragging pace. The two leads are played by Katee Sackhoff (Oculus) and Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) as the haunted mother and daughter respectfully. Sackhoff has already proved her horror chops, but her portrayal here is excellent. Boynton - who I'd just seen in another horror over the last month, February, is not only a fantastic rising star, but is also achieving some serious recognition for it. And rightly deserved. Major support comes from Nick Moran (13 Eerie) as the investigating detective in it all.

The FX hold up through the run time and the scares keep up. It's not a dark and brooding horror, but one with a good pace. It has  pretty much the obligatory twist ending for this type of film, but I guarantee you, you won't see it coming.

Well worth the watch.