The Accursed [2022] – Movie Review (3/5)

THE ACCURSED (2022) is a new horror movie that works surprisingly well in many ways. A creepy story with practical effects that are awesome. Starring Sarah Grey, Mena Suvari, and Meg Foster. Read our full The Accursed movie review here!

THE ACCURSED (2022) is a new horror movie that works surprisingly well in many ways. When the young nurse Elly (Sarah Grey) is asked to spend a few days looking after an elderly woman (Meg Foster), living in a remote cabin, she’s quick to accept. However, staying in the cabin turns out to be anything but relaxing.

While I do feel The Accursed ran a bit too long (and a tad too slow at times), I thoroughly enjoyed the creepy vibe. All elements of the story also worked for me, as did the acting. In other words, it could have been better with a few tweaks, but it’s pretty damn good as it stands as well.

Continue reading our The Accursed (2022) movie review. Find it in theaters or On Demand from October 14, 2022.

Lots of practical effects

While I believe there is some CGI used in The Accursed (2022), it mainly utilizes practical effects. And in perfect and believable ways that make the story work so much better. Of course, having the brilliant (and extremely flexible) Troy James as “The Demon” doesn’t hurt.

MORE WITH BODY HORROR ACTOR TROY JAMES

Be sure to check out Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Black Box on Prime Video!

But even before we get to see this demon, there are many moments where CGI could have been used. However, a choice to opt for practical effects was clearly made. A great choice since it makes the horror work so much better.

When CGI works well, it can be great, but when it doesn’t work, it gets very distracting. Sure, the same can be said for practical effects, but at least there’s some charm to them. In The Accursed, the practical effects just work perfectly!

Not a remake of the 2021 movie

So many horror movies are released bearing the exact same title. However, it’s not that often (and thank the film gods for that), we get two horror movies with the exact same title released within a year. And the two The Accursed movies have nothing to do with one another, so we’re not in remake territory.

NEVER HEARD OF THE 2021 FILM?

Check out our review of the horror movie with the same title here >

For me, this 2022 movie is definitely stronger than the 2021 movie with the exact same title. Of course, that one had Yancy Butler and Goran Visnjic (the new Hellraiser on Hulu) going for it. However, this latest movie also has a strong cast with familiar names.

Most notably Meg Foster (Overlord, Rob Zombie‘s 31), with the unforgettable piercing light blue eyes, and the always amazing Mena Suvari (Don’t Tell a Soul).

The main character of The Accursed (2022) is Elly, who is played by Sarah Grey (The Order series on Netflix). Her best friend is Beth, and I was very happy to see her portrayed by Sarah Dumont. She was awesome in Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, and Sarah Dumont is fierce in this horror movie as well.

Watch The Accursed (2022) in Theaters and On Demand!

Kevin Lewis is the director of The Accursed which – for me, anyway – meant we were off to a good start. The previous movie directed by Kevin Lewis was the really crazy horror-comedy Willy’s Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage. And I do mean “really crazy” in a good way – if you’re into that sort of wacky thing, obviously.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT

Our review of Willy’s Wonderland right here >

The writer of this new horror movie is Rob Kennedy, who has written many short films in the past couple of years. He has one horror feature film under his belt already, though. His feature film debut (as writer and director) was Midnight Man (2013).

A movie that was remade (and reworked) as The Midnight Man in 2016 by writer-director Travis Zariwny (who also made the 2016 Cabin Fever remake).

If you like horror movies that have witches (or demon-like elements) and utilize gore and “things that go bump in the night” in all the right ways, then be sure to check out The Accursed.

The Accursed is out in Theaters and On Demand from October 14, 2022.

Details

Director: Kevin Lewis
Cast: Mena Suvari, Sarah Grey, Meg Foster, Alexis Knapp