The terrifying curse of Amityville in 2023 Amityville, a seemingly peaceful town located on Long Island, has been plagued by a terrifying curse that has gripped its residents in fear. In 2023, this curse has intensified, leaving the community on edge and desperate for answers. The origins of the curse can be traced back to the infamous Amityville Horror case in 1974. It was here that the Lutz family experienced a series of paranormal activities in their new home, which was previously the site of a gruesome mass murder. The events that unfolded in the house were so horrifying that they captured the attention of the entire nation. Fast forward to 2023, and the curse shows no signs of relenting.
THE AMITYVILLE HORROR begins with a prologue about the first bloody murders. Cut to one year later, when George (Ryan Reynolds) and wife Kathy (Melissa George) move in with her kids Billy (Jesse James), Michael (Jimmy Bennett), and Chelsea (Chloë Grace Moretz). As soon as they move in, menacing voices tell George to kill his family. Chelsea communes with the ghost of the dead daughter, who talks her into a dangerous rooftop climb. Complaining that the house is always cold, George moves into the basement to be near the furnace. He starts yelling at the children and punishing them excessively. George's personality changes are evident, but he returns to his old, pleasant self whenever he leaves the house. Kathy calls in a priest (Philip Baker Hall) with holy water, but he flees in fear, leaving her to cope with the demons and her raging husband.
But nonsensical plot holes overwhelm any scene-by-scene effectiveness in The Amityville Horror , as the characters make frequent bad decisions leaving the children alone in the house, or with a babysitter they don t know , and fall victim to shoddy transitions between scenes. Repeated scenes of George turning increasingly mean, violent, and scary-looking; an axe-attack on the family dog; and a last sequence where he chases Kathy and her three kids with a shotgun and axe.
Fast forward to 2023, and the curse shows no signs of relenting. Locals report hearing strange noises at night, witnessing apparitions, and experiencing unexplained phenomena. Many residents claim to feel a dark presence lurking in their homes, making them hesitant to even step foot inside.
The Amityville Curse (2023) Review
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It's about a group of friends who purchase an infamous home with the intention of flipping it, only to discover a deadly paranormal presence emanating from within the house.
"The Amityville Curse" found itself entangled in its own web of challenges and underwhelming circumstances. As yet another addition to the Amityville franchise, it carried the burden of being perceived as a mediocrity, much like its predecessors "Amityville Cult" and "Amityville in the Hood." Moreover, being categorized as a Tubi Original film didn't instill much confidence, given the mixed reception associated with such productions.
However, amidst the uncertainties, a glimmer of hope emerged. Director Éric Tessier, although relatively unknown outside of Quebec, had showcased his directorial prowess in the outstanding adaptations of Patrick Senécal's novels, including "5150 Elm's Way" and the notable "Sur le Seuil" (Evil Words). Additionally, the film was penned by Dennis Heaton, who had previously written the screenplay for the Billy Connolly zom-com "Fido." While not an overwhelmingly promising combination, it held more potential than many similar films in the genre.
"The Amityville Curse" was described not as a remake of the 1990 film but as a "modern reimagining of the novel." It opened with a chilling scene of a woman hanging herself after placing an envelope on the mantle. Bizarrely, as the chair kicked away beneath her, the envelope took flight under its own inexplicable power.
The house was subsequently purchased by a group of friends: Lucy (Jenny Raven), Frank (Dillon Casey), Debbie (Vanessa Smythe), Billie (Mercedes Morris), Abigail (Tommie-Amber Pirie), and Marv (Michael Xavier). Their plan was to live in the house while renovating it into three condos, ultimately profiting from their venture. However, from the very beginning, the house revealed its sinister nature through falling mirrors, objects mysteriously shifting, and unexplained accidents. Regrettably, the group's preoccupations with personal relationship dramas overshadowed the mounting paranormal occurrences.
During the film's initial half-hour, "The Amityville Curse" maintained a subdued tone with only a handful of jump scares interspersed among the familiar clichés. To their credit, Tessier and Heaton ensured that the narrative never became monotonous. Yet, despite their efforts, the film failed to achieve anything exceptional. It attempted to inject momentum following a tragic death, introducing Kenny Wong as a paranormal podcaster, whose presence added a brief but entertaining touch. The subsequent appearance of Brendan Fehr as a parapsychologist aimed to further ignite the story through a séance.
Unfortunately, the film was plagued by excessive filler content and implausible character behavior. The endless bickering between the female characters over Marv, despite the mounting fatalities among their friends, strained credibility. As a result, "The Amityville Curse" never managed to shift beyond its first gear, hindered further by lackluster visual effects that made the ghosts appear more like video glitches, and a mere smattering of bloodshed.
In fairness, the original version of "The Amityville Curse," also available on Tubi, was an unremarkable affair, leaving little room for desecration of a classic. However, it remains disheartening that this modern reimagining failed to surpass its predecessor or deliver an improved viewing experience. With relatively low expectations set for the film, considering the franchise's history, it could have potentially become an entertainingly trashy production reminiscent of "Amityville: The Possession."
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Worth Watching?
Ultimately, "The Amityville Curse" does manage to surpass some recent entries within the Amityville series and other Tubi Originals. Yet, when the competition includes films like "Amityville Christmas Vacation," such achievement doesn't hold significant weight. It is disconcerting to witness the film's inability to surpass mediocrity, especially when the bar was set relatively low, and the source material possessed potential for an engagingly lurid narrative. It serves as a reminder for aspiring filmmakers to strive for excellence and consider their career choices if they cannot produce a superior film to "Tow."
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The curse of Amityville has devastated the town's real estate market, as potential buyers are hesitant to invest in properties with such a harrowing history. Homeowners desperate to sell find themselves trapped, unable to escape the clutches of the curse. Community members have sought out paranormal experts, mediums, and priests in an attempt to rid themselves of the curse, but to no avail. The fear and desperation have taken a toll on the mental and emotional well-being of the residents, who feel trapped in their own nightmare. The local government has been criticized for its lack of action in addressing the curse. Many residents feel abandoned and unheard, as their pleas for help go unanswered. The town's once-thriving tourism industry has also suffered, with visitors avoiding Amityville out of fear. As the curse of Amityville continues to vex the town, residents are left to wonder if there will ever be an end to their suffering. Will Amityville forever remain haunted by its dark past, or is there a glimmer of hope for the community to eventually break free from the grips of this terrifying curse? Only time will tell if Amityville can overcome its paranormal infestation and restore peace to its once-peaceful streets. Until then, the town remains a cautionary tale of the dangers that can lurk beneath the seemingly idyllic facades of suburban life..
Reviews for "Amityville's Curse Returns in 2023: A Tale of Terror"
1. David - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "The Terrifying Curse of Amityville in 2023". The movie promised to be a terrifying horror experience, but it fell flat on its face. The scares were predictable and cliche, and the storyline was confusing and poorly developed. The acting was subpar at best, with wooden performances that made it hard to feel any connection to the characters. Overall, I found it to be a complete waste of my time and money. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for a true horror experience.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Terrifying Curse of Amityville in 2023", but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed. The scares were cheap and relied too heavily on jump scares, which quickly became tiresome. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fate. The pacing was also off, with the movie dragging on at times and rushing through important plot points. Overall, it lacked the tension and originality that I was hoping for in a horror film.
3. Michael - 1 star
I was highly disappointed with "The Terrifying Curse of Amityville in 2023". The movie lacked any real scares or suspense. The predictable jump scares were few and far between, and the overall storyline felt disjointed and poorly thought out. The acting was forgettable, and the characters were uninteresting and lacked depth. I found myself bored and uninvested in the movie within the first 30 minutes, and it did not get any better as it progressed. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this lackluster horror film.
4. Jennifer - 2 stars
"The Terrifying Curse of Amityville in 2023" had potential, but it ultimately fell short. The movie relied too heavily on jump scares, which quickly became repetitive and predictable. The storyline had some interesting aspects, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily, while important plot points were rushed through. The acting was mediocre, and the characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with their struggles. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to create a truly terrifying horror experience.