The Garden (2005)

Summary: Sam and his father, David, are traveling through the countryside trying to get to know each other once again, when the car crashes. They end up staying with a recluse, named Ben, who puts them up. David finds a job, Sam starts school and all seems well. But everyone has secrets up their sleeve and this mere act of charity is actually a prelude to another war for souls been good and evil.           Overall: The film has some decent acting performances but just seems way too big for itself. Once you get the overall premise of the film, it still seems like there’s too much to tell and witness in the mere 90 minutes they have. They barely flesh out the shrink or the teacher, both played by fairly well known actresses. But I got the impression the entire movie was more of some serious children’s drama with some nice religious themes, rather than a horror movie. You always get this sense the film has been made for kids, not adults. But the real flaw to the movie is too much of Ben vs. Sam and not enough of anyone else. They give us a female school friend to Sam who disappears quickly, and Dad vanishes for long periods, only hinting at what he did, never showing it. It really needed more exposition and composition. Too short and not enough substance.           Comparison: The Prophecy meets Hide and Seek

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