I don’t ever want to see a movie like this again. Don’t get me wrong, the movie is worth watching, but not for me. I don’t know, maybe it’s the mind controlling power some humans have over others, whatever the eerie thrill, this movie is chilling.
Bill Paxton (both actor and director of this movie) is amazingly brilliant.
It all begins when Fenton Meiks (portrayed with incredible spookiness by Matthew McConaughey), walks into the office of FBI agent Wesley Doyle (Powers Boothe), and claims that his brother is the elusive serial killer that Doyle is seeking.
As Fenton begins to tell the story, dramatic, chilling moments from childhood to present, are revealed. The Meiks brothers are being raised by their father (Paxton), after the death of their mother (who died while giving birth to the youngest brother).
Everything seems to be normal. A typical American family, with what appears to be no dysfunctions. Then it happens. The father has a vision from God, and believes, whole-heartedly, that God has spoken to him. He rushes into the bedroom where his boys are asleep, wakes them up, and tells them about his vision from God, and what God has asked him to do.
Upon hearing the nightmarish mission, that God has asked him to rid the world of all its demons, the boys look in disbelief at their father. While the younger Meiks brother seems a bit taken in and responsive, the 12-year old brother (played by Matthew O’Leary), seem to know from the beginning that what his father has said is unnatural and evil. He knows that he must find a way to stop his (what he now believes to be) ‘mad’ father from committing these insane murders, and keep his younger brother from being brain-washed into believing what their father has told them.
Regardless of whether Paxton is on the other side acting, or the other side directing, he is captivating!
In spite of the numerous grisly murders, which occur, the trail of blood and stomach-turning guts splattered everywhere is only in the mind of the viewers. Whew, what imagination! I like that for a change of pace in a horror movie.
The only surprising twist is the ending. I am still trying to figure this one out. The twist here is… the brother telling the story (Fenton), is actually the serial killer, and the brother who was supposedly the serial killer, was actually murdered by his older brother. Am I right or wrong? I’d sure like to know.