Nightworld: Lost Souls (1999)
As a family moves into their new country home, strange events occur, making them believe that their autistic daughter is somehow communicating with the victims of an unsolved murder 8 years earlier.
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Such a frustrating disappointment
Good concept, poorly executed.
It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
Lost Souls stars industry veteran John Savage and tells the story of a family who move into a new home and experience unusual events. Among them is a young autistic girl who seems to be at the centre of it all.Truth is I'm pretty sure I've seen this very same plot before, it certainly isn't even remotely original but thanks to strong performances and a competent director it has an identity of its own.Though it doesn't all flow together flawlessly it's a harmless little tale but I'd never say it falls under the horror umbrella. I'd call it a supernatural thriller.Sadly among it's flaws are a few red herrings and unexplained moments/characters that really should have been padded out. Without being the film feels a tad incomplete.Regardless Lost Souls is a just about passable effort even if you'll see the twist coming by no later than half way through the film.The Good:Well madeJohn SavageThe Bad:Twist is a tad predictibleToo many unanswered questionsThings I Learnt From This Movie:I suddenly want a train set!
The Robinson family - him her, and not quite 2.4 children - move to a big house in a rural area for a specific purpose. Their daughter is autistic, and they want her to attend a special school. Eight years previously a boy and a girl had been murdered in either a single transaction or close to it. A local man had been convicted of the crime on his own confession. He had also confessed to many more murders.This is not quite an open and shut case because with the help of Thomas Edison no less, the victims appear to be communicating with the daughter. Appear to be? There is some quite obvious haunting early on which is witnessed by more than one person, so the viewer is left in no doubt that it is for real. Unfortunately, apart from a couple of fairly obvious red herrings, that is as good as this one gets.
Right from the start, this is a gripping horror. You know there's someone out there, watching...Some of the scenes reminded me of Poltergeist - inexplicable happenings, strange voices, dramatic music and the like. Very creepy throughout and full of suspense.My only criticism is that the ending is slightly O.T.T., but it's a good watch all the same.
I enjoyed the film, for its own sake. However, I could not help but notice a substantial number of similarities between it and the Orson Scott Card book titled "Lost Boys."Starting with the introductory scene of the killer (film: we see the killer; book: we are privy to his thoughts), and progressing through a drive through the countryside to a new house. The father works in a technical field where he can be home most of the time (film: bicycle tech manual writing; book: software tech manual writing). His child can contact the dead through an electronic device (film: some strange "Edison" invention, book: the TV). One of the children has a debilitating medical condition (film: autism; book: MS). Both involve a suspicious groundskeeper and interactions with police. In both, the family is nearby a specialized medical institution which is geared towards helping their ill child.I could go on, but you should read the book for yourself, before I give too much away! If you liked this movie, then you'll love the OSC book.Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any comments.--Steve