We Are Still Here

Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, From Beyond) has a history of starring in iconic horror films, from ‘Re-Animator’ and ‘From Beyond’ to ‘You’re Next’ and ‘Lords of Salem’. Now, Crampton returns with low budget independent horror that may well be the film that formally introduces her to a new generation.

 

Moving into a new home in the country after the death of their son seems like a suitable move for Anne (Crampton) and Paul (Andrew Sensenig) but the heat from their basement brings a host of heated problems for the couple and their friends in what turns out to be one of the most violent and bloodthirsty climax of recent years.

 

While the films doesn’t hold out on being a spooky horror film, the tension loses tract once the action really kicks off and the wafer thin plot shares its nostalgia with the straight to video nasties of the genre. There is a sense of nostalgia wrapped around ‘We are Still Here’ and one that serves the film well. When there’s nothing supernatural occurring, it’s the local villagers who appear to hold the torch of threat and when the couple address the ghostly occupants, it’s the villagers who may well be the real enemy.

 

Like a cigarette burn, ‘We Are Still Here’ gets under the skin and will scar you for a very long time. The creatures are the scariest spirits to grace film in a very long time and despite some ropey camera work in parts, show the budget was put to perfectly good use.

 

From its sepia tone and furnishings to the creepy townsfolk, the film just oozes 1970’s flare. Ted Geoghegan’s stunning debut manages to pack a punch to the face that literally explodes on impact. Everything from its story to each and every death scene (there are many) plays to every horror fans wet dream. Blood, guts and unsettling scares are all included.

 

As far as creepy goes, this is up there as one of the scariest films this year and it’s a surprise that this is Geoghegan’s first film. In between the blood soaking and weird happenings, the central cast manage to hold together the film with minimal effort as 84 minutes of terror is pretty persistent. This is a no-holds barred horror that goes from creepy to kickass yet never loses charm.