Film Review: The Messengers

The Messengers is the American debut of international award winning twin directors Danny and Oxide Pang (Bangkok Dangerous, The Eye). The film follows the story of a family of four - father Roy (Dustin McDermott), mother Denise (Penelope Ann Miller), daughter Jess (Kristen Stewart), and son Ben (Evan & Theodore Turner) - who move into a dilapidated farmhouse in North Dakota to try and restart their lives. Jess and Ben soon discover that they are not alone in the house, and since Ben cannot speak, it is up to Jess to try and be the voice of reason for her family, discover what is happening in their new home, and ensure the safety of her loved ones.

The Pang Brothers have a natural talent for creating absolute beauty out of the most mundane of settings. Even the ramshackle farmhouse of the film can be viewed as a sign of beauty. The ominous crows that flock by the hundreds to the property serve as a stark contrast to the lovely imagery on display in The Messengers. These clever sibling directors also possess a mastery of a rather unpopular, yet effective, skill of horror film making: the jump scare. Many people may be bothered by the sudden appearance of a loud noise or fast movement, but the Pang Brothers take what is sometimes considered a cheap trick and use it as a tool to build suspense. When the film slows down, the viewer should be prepared for an intense, slow-burning sensation rarely captured in modern horror films.