October 29, 2004 Edition

MALEVOLENCE
R, 95mins

More frightening and far more engaging than last week’s “The Grudge” is Stevan Mena’s “Malevolence.” Directly influenced by John Carpenter’s original “Halloween” in more ways than one, it reminds us why, aside perhaps from jazz, the low-budget indie horror film is America’s truest and greatest original form.

Julian (Brandon Johnson) and Marylin (Heather Magee) have run into money woes, and decide to go along with Marylin’s brother Max (Keith Chambers), a freshly released ex-con, and his partner Kurt (Richard Glover) on a bank robbery. The bank robbery goes awry however, and the quartet splits up, planning to regroup at an abandoned house in the country. On his way, Kurt hijacks an SUV carrying Samantha (Samantha Dark) and her daughter Courtney (Courtney Bertolone). Arriving at the house first Kurt ties up his hostages, but when Courtney escapes, Kurt chases after her, little-knowing that in the area lives a deranged machete-wielding psychopath who takes pleasures in gutting those with whom he crosses paths.

For too long, this unnamed killer sits around and watches his prey converse, like a greek chorus. But once the body count begins to rise, Mr. Mena presents a genuinely good, and frightening experience. “Malevolence” proves a very promising debut.

-Eddie Goldberger

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