Devil's Chair, The (2006)

Monday, 27 October 2008 00:00

Reviewed by Carol Sullivan

Genre: Horror
Released: October 7, 2008
Rating: Unrated

Director: Adam Mason
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Features
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Commentary with Writer/Director Adam Mason and Writer Simon Boyes
Blood, Sweat and Fears: The Making of The Devil's Chair

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"Buckle-up, bitch... here comes the pain..."
- Nick (Andrew Howard)

The Devil's Chair, directed and co-written by Adam Mason, is a decidedly different look at the 'let's-go-visit-the-abandoned-asylum' theme. Filmed in the UK, this well-written horror movie takes some unexpected twists and turns, all leading up to a wild ending...

The movie begins as Nick (Andrew Howard, Revolver) and his girlfriend, Sammy (Polly Brown) drop some hallucinogenic drugs and stumble into an abandoned asylum. On an upper floor, there is a strange chair sitting in the middle of the room; one that resembles an electric-chair with all of its gruesome clamps and straps. For kicks, Sammy sits in the chair and suddenly it locks her down and slices her to bits. Nick is far too stoned to help his girlfriend, whose bloody body promptly disappears.

Nick goes to the police, who do not believe his story, and they quickly lock him away with the criminally insane. Four years later, Nick is released into the care of Dr. Willard (David Gant) who wishes to write a book about Sammy's grisly death and Nick's psychosis. In order to do that, the doctor and his team will drag a terrified Nick back to the decrepit asylum, where the chair is waiting.

Now this movie may not sound too impressive, but writers Adam Mason and Simon Boyes have written a fantastic script. The interesting inner monologue and narration of the film, by Nick's character, kept me watching and listening closely.

I did find it strange that the writers chose to have the Doctor and his team treat this convicted lunatic more like a lost puppy than a dangerous criminal. I kept wondering why the characters had no weapons or IV's of Halodol ready. There is no way I would take this guy on a field trip to the scene of the crime to gauge his reactions without an armed guard at my side. But, we find out later that the doctor's motives are different, and nothing is what it seems. At the jaw-dropping finale to the movie, all is explained.

While the acting is a little over-done and the filming feels jerky and dizzying, The Devil's Chair is a very entertaining movie. It is gritty and harsh and every blood-soaked scene keeps you guessing. But, not knowing where a movie is heading is half the fun. And this movie definitely gives the horror genre a big tweak!

All in all, The Devil's Chair makes a strong statement for a 'B'-movie and I recommend it as a rental and/or purchase.

Overall Rating: 3

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 16 September 2010 10:50 )