The Reaping (2007) Movie Review
Written By: TJ
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Producers: Richard Mirisch, Herb Gains, Susan Downey, Joel Silver, Robert Zemeckis
Writers: Carey Hayes, Chad Hayes
Date Released: April 5, 2007
Cast:
Hilary Swank as Katherine
AnnaSophia Robb as Loren
David Morrissey as Doug
Idris Elba as Ben
Stephen Rea as Father Costigan
William Ragsdale as Sheriff Cade
Andrea Frankle as Maddie
Rating = 2/5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
After her husband and daughter were killed, former Christian missionary Katherine (Hilary Swank) spends her days proving that miracles actually have scientific explanations. One day, she receives a call from a priest after seeing her photos burn to form a sickle-like symbol, saying that her life is in danger. Shortly after dismissing his warning, a teacher from a nearby town asks her help to debunk the mysteries that are pestering his town, claiming that the locals believe that these are biblical plagues. Aside from seeing another opportunity to prove that miracles don’t happen, Katherine agrees because there is a little girl involved which reminds her of her own daughter. Later on, she finds herself unravelling more secrets than she is supposed to, and she finds out who really are the people to be trusted.
Gore Factor
The gore element is there, I wouldn’t argue about it. From dying animals to decaying corpses, you will get it all. As someone who is afraid of parasites, the maggots and lice are what creeped me to my core. However, these gore scenes were not executed effectively to contribute to the film as a whole. Some of them are squirm-worthy, but not entirely frightening. As a matter of fact, the prosthetics and makeup are not convincing enough to portray “what God hath wrought”. In addition to this, the lousy editing of computer-generated imagery and special effects do not make up for the dragging plot of yet another religious-themed story. Suffice to say, the gore element is just included in the film to make it more interesting but failing to do so.
The Grave Review
The Reaping (2007) is a satanic horror film just like any other which centers on a protagonist who lost their faith in God because of a tragic event. This film shows a senseless basis of beliefs praised and followed by a number of people who either were eaten by grief or desperation. This also portrays how people can be easily manipulated and/or changed when their most sensitive emotion is triggered.
The film’s pacing is slow and kind of feels off. The Reaping succumbs to a plague of clichés and overrated twists that are usually included in a religious horror movie such as the mandated sacrifices, a cult of blind followers, and a test to the protagonist ‘s faith which will eventually prove that there is a supreme being in existence, may it be good or bad.
The part I dislike the most is its ending. In my opinion, this is where the viewers will totally lose their interest in watching the film. It strayed too far from reality and it doesn’t give a concrete explanation of where the unknown forces actually came from, such as the fire that burned Father Costigan and the fireballs that fall from the sky. Seems to me that the writers just decided to let the audience guess whose doings these are from, God or Satan.
Moving forward, many critiques have questioned the two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank of her decision to be part of this film. Despite the confused mash-up of exorcist-meets-deliverance as well as the picturesque hillbilly types, Swank goes through it all with imperturbable stoicism which can be only described as a professional job. Unfortunately, the same sentiments can’t be given to David Morrissey whose awkwardness is personified as a creepy schoolteacher.
Even though there is a quite number of failures in many areas, The Reaping is strangely beautiful to look at. I am talking about Peter Levy’s impressive cinematography as it exploits the visual capability of a horror film in a different angle that is seldom seen in this kind of genre. Thus, the appropriate use of light which gives the perennial scenes a new level of impact and the striking color contrast providing the fascinating landscapes an acceptable premise for the story.
For the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives The Reaping (2007) two graves out of five graves.
Do you agree with our review? Comment below.
Join the Conversation