So, earlier today, I finally got around to watching the latest SyFy original film, The Hollow.  (The Hollow originally aired last Saturday but I missed it because I was going from Halloween party to Halloween party, wandering around in chilly and wet weather without much on and eventually coming down with a cold as a result.)  Now, it may seem strange to review a made-for-TV movie as a part of a series of grindhouse film reviews but, much like They Found Hell, The Hollow probably would have played at the grindhouse if there was still a grindhouse around for it to play at.

As for the film itself, it was a story of death, curses, family dysfunction, and sisterhood.  The Hollow takes place on Shelter Island.  To be honest, just the name Shelter Island should let you know that something bad is going to happen.  I mean, Shelter Island sounds too similar to Shutter Island for it to be a totally safe place.  One hundred years ago, a legendary storm wiped out the island’s population.  Over the century, the island has recovered and new people have moved in.  But now, another storm is threatening to hit and that storm is bringing a curse with it!  Soon, the island will be attacked by monsters that appear to be made out of dirt and fire…

Of course, the monsters aren’t the only ones coming to Shelter Island.  There are three sisters as well — Sarah (Stephanie Hunt), Marley (Sarah Dugdale), and Emma (Alisha Newton).  Coming from a dysfunctional family, they’re planning on spending Halloween in a cabin on the island and working on their fractured relationship.  Unfortunately, those plans are interrupted by the arrival of the monsters.  As the sisters try to find some way to get off the island, Emma suddenly vanishes.  Sarah and Marley search for her, while dealing not only with the monster but also with other survivors, some of whom are more helpful than others.

I actually really enjoyed The Hollow.  Why?  Well, it all comes down to three things:

Number one, Shelter Island was extremely creepy!  This film is full of images of characters running through a seemingly endless forest, with all the trees enshrouded by a thick fog.  Director Sheldon Wilson took full advantage of the menacing possibilities of his location.  When it comes to a horror film — especially a low-budget one — never underestimate the importance of atmosphere.

Number two, the monsters were genuinely scary and well-done.  You never knew where they were going to suddenly show up and, as a result, you were kept off-balance throughout the entire film.

Finally, the main reason I enjoyed The Hollow was because Stephanie Hunt, Sarah Dugdale, and Alisha Newton were perfectly cast and believable as the three sisters.  I’m the youngest of four sisters and, needless to say, there were many scenes to which I could relate.  Since you believed their relationship and cared about them as characters, this brought a bit more depth to The Hollow than you might otherwise have expected.

The Hollow was a nice surprise.  Keep an eye out for it on the SyFy channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xHSMGgCCog