dead souls

SyFy Channel movies have now become synonymous with cheesy Saturday night fare like Sharknado and Snowmageddon. And while there’s a certain level of enjoyment to be had scoffing at poorly rendered flying sharks devouring Tara Reid, it’d be nice to have a flip side of the coin now and then: a made-for-TV movie that actually attempts to, I don’t know, actually scare somebody!

Dead Souls premiered on Chiller, another network not exactly known for being too discriminating about their schedule. But the product this time around is better than average and often superior to some recent big screen scares, if you keep your expectations in check.

The film has a humdinger of an opening as a father brutally murders his wife, two kids and the family dog. Only the youngest son escapes the massacre, raised by his aunt with no knowledge of his scandalous past. But when he inherits the family estate, he returns to his birthplace and unwittingly awakens the spirits of his deceased relatives…and incurs the wrath of locals who’d rather he left well enough alone.

Much of Dead Souls is a tease, revealing just enough of the satanic shenanigans to keep you interested. By the time we sort out the details, it makes little sense. But the journey from point A to point B is a stylishly engaging one. Director Colin Theys (Alien Opponent) fills all corners of the screen with shapes, shadows and spirits that disappear almost as soon as you notice them. It’s a pretty standard trick, but nonetheless effective here when combined with a spooky score and reasonably good acting from all involved.

It’s only when Rob Zombie regular Bill Moseley arrives (the man has over 14 projects in pre or post-production, which has to be some sort of record) to explain everything in eye-rolling fashion that the climax collapses on itself. Bodies are possessed, limbs are severed and suddenly our quiet creepiness turns into your standard zombie bloodbath. There’s a nice epilogue though and Dead Souls winds up with more scenes in the positive column rather than negative. And when you stack it up against the TV competition, that’s gotta count for something.

Shout Factory’s blu-ray is sharp and pristine, as it should be. Extras include a commentary, blooper reel, tour of the set and TV spots.