The Curse of Downer's Grove is a 2015 American horror film directed by Derick Martini and written by Bret Easton Ellis. The plot follows a group of high school students who believe that they are cursed and are destined to die before graduation. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Hornburg. The story takes place in the fictional town of Downer's Grove, where a curse is said to haunt the senior class of the local high school. According to the legend, one student is destined to die every year before graduation. This curse has become a sort of urban legend in the town, and the students are both intrigued and scared by it.
"My grandparents had lived there for 50 years so I had been there since it was full of sticker bushes," he said. "The cul de sacs began when I moved there—the entire development of South High School was under construction."
The plot follows Chrissie, a young woman on the cusp of adulthood trying to survive the travails of teenage suburban limbo a heroin-addled older brother, an AWOL dad, a mom about to marry a creep, a race-car driving mechanic boyfriend in trouble with the law, a carload of testosterone-bloated cretins and the Senior Curse. Although those forking over ticket money in the hopes of a straightforward horror film might disagree, this is not necessarily a bad idea for a story but neither co-writer Bret Easton Ellis the bad boy author of Less Than Zero, The Rules of Attraction and American Psycho nor director Derick Martini seem to have any idea of what they are trying to say or how to say it.
This curse has become a sort of urban legend in the town, and the students are both intrigued and scared by it. The main character is a girl named Chrissie, who is determined to break the curse and survive until graduation. However, as the film progresses, she starts to believe that the curse is real and that her life is in danger.
'The Curse of Downers Grove' movie to be released Aug. 21
Adolescence is a perilous time, says author Michael Hornburg whose second novel explores that transition in a place where he spent a large part of his youth: Downers Grove.
Hornburg's novel "Downers Grove" was published in 1999 and eventually was made into a movie, "The Curse of Downers Grove." The film should be released digitally and in theaters Aug. 21. It will be available on DVD/Blue Ray on Sept. 1.
AdvertisementHornburg lived in Downers Grove from 1974 to 1978 while his parents, Harry and Barbara, were separated. He graduated in 1978 from Downers Grove South High School.
"My grandparents had lived there for 50 years so I had been there since it was full of sticker bushes," he said. "The cul de sacs began when I moved there—the entire development of South High School was under construction."
AdvertisementIn the book, Hornburg's characters are on the verge of adulthood and living in a place marked by cornfields converted to tract houses, fast food joints and convenience stores.
Hornburg, who now lives in Brooklyn, devised the plot for the book after reading about a high school in Connecticut that was said to have a curse. He recalled young people dying while he was in high school in the 1970s.
"It's a time when you're reckless," he said. "I had more people (I knew) die in high school than at any other time in my life."
The book was adapted for the screen by "American Psycho" author Bret Easton Ellis and directed by Derick Martini. The plot follows Chrissie, "a young woman on the cusp of adulthood trying to survive the travails of teenage suburban limbo: a heroin-addled older brother, an AWOL dad, a mom about to marry a creep, a race-car driving mechanic boyfriend in trouble with the law, a carload of testosterone-bloated cretins and the Senior Curse. The latter ordains that a senior must die before graduation," according to a 1999 article in the Tribune.
Hornburg said his book's tone is not as dark as the one set in the movie which is being distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment.
"My novel is not a horror story," Hornburg said. "It's more like a grungy Clueless with a curse. Hollywood likes to make things scary."
Though the movie was not shot in Downers Grove, the book references many familiar settings including Downers Grove South, the Tivoli Bowling Lanes, and the Speedway Gas Station at Lemont Road and the Stevenson Expressway.
This book is the second of Hornburg's novels in a planned trilogy. The first was "Bongwater," which was adapted into a film by the same name.
AdvertisementHis two books share a recurring character, David, who also will be in Hornburg's third book, which he is currently writing. It will be set in New York, San Francisco, and Portland and have flashbacks to Downers Grove.
Meiko Fujiura-Landers, adult and teen services librarian at the Downers Grove Public Library, said readers have continued to check out "Downers Grove" over the years and the library is preparing for requests for the movies. It has a DVD on order.
"I imagine when the movie comes out it will spark local interest," she said.
After high school, Hornburg and a friend moved in 1979 to Portland, Ore. Hornburg worked in a window blind factory, played in a band, and attended Portland State University where he wrote for the school newspaper. He then moved to New York where he worked in the publishing industry for 20 years. Today, he writes while also selling books and vinyl records on-line and raising a daughter who is now in college.
As far as he's traveled, it's safe to say Downers Grove has never left Hornburg's mind, and it's been a fruitful source for his imagination.
"I lived there from the time I was 14 to 18 so I knew it well, " he said. "I had plenty of background and stories to tell. I knew the history from my grandparents. My father grew up there. It was on old Indian land so I used that as a potential source of the curse."
AdvertisementBoth the titles of the book and the movie contain a spelling quirk that locals will recognize.
"It was always a funny name for a town," said Hornburg. "And it's actually spelled wrong. Pierce Downer was the founder — or the first land owner — so it should be Downer's Grove with an apostrophe s."
His two books share a recurring character, David, who also will be in Hornburg's third book, which he is currently writing. It will be set in New York, San Francisco, and Portland and have flashbacks to Downers Grove.
She becomes increasingly paranoid and fearful, and starts to suspect that everyone around her could be the next victim. The film explores themes of fear, paranoia, and the pressures of high school life. It also examines the impact of the curse on the characters' mental and emotional well-being. The curse acts as a metaphor for the anxieties and fears experienced by teenagers as they navigate their way through the challenges of adolescence. Overall, The Curse of Downer's Grove is a suspenseful and atmospheric horror film that delves into the dark side of adolescence. It offers a unique take on the traditional horror genre, incorporating psychological themes and elements. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its atmospheric tension, while others found it predictable and clichéd..
Reviews for "The ghost stories of Downers Grove"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "The Curse Downers Grove" at all. The storyline was incredibly dull and predictable. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star - "The Curse Downers Grove" was a complete waste of time. The plot had so much potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was slow, dragging on without any real purpose or suspense. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, making it challenging to become invested in the story. The ending was also rushed and unsatisfying. I couldn't wait for this book to be over, and I will definitely not be picking up any other works by this author.
3. Emily - 2 stars - Unfortunately, "The Curse Downers Grove" fell flat for me. The characters were unlikable and lacked development, making it difficult to care about their plight. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed with numerous plot holes and inconsistencies. The pacing was inconsistent as well, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes that lacked any real impact. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing and would not recommend it to others.
4. Matthew - 3 stars - "The Curse Downers Grove" had its moments, but ultimately, it left me underwhelmed. While the plot had potential, it felt underdeveloped and lacked originality. The pacing was uneven, with some sections dragging on too long and others feeling rushed. The characterization was also weak, with flat and unmemorable characters. While I didn't hate this book, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either.
5. Jennifer - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse Downers Grove," but it turned out to be a letdown. The premise was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The writing style was choppy and confusing, with abrupt shifts in perspective and inconsistent world-building. The plot lacked depth and failed to engage me. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.