Heartstopper

Heartstopper (2006)

Directed by: Bob Keen

Written by: Vlady Pildysh and Warren P. Sonoda

Starring: Meredith Henderson; Nathan Stephenson; James Binkley; Michael Cram; Robert Englund; Laura DeCarteret

Plot: Two hospitalized young people discover that things can get even worse when the dilapidated institution is stranded by a severe storm and a maniac stalks the corridors butchering the patients and staff.

I turned this one on the other night, expecting nothing more than a bad, low-budget mish-mash. I was happily surprised.

Not the most epic of films, but also not trying to be, this is a small film that feels contained and almost claustrophobic, much like the characters feel in the hospital.

The story is standard horror fare: an unstoppable killer with supernatural attributes and the normal people falling like toys around him. Yet the acting (including a good guy role played by horror icon Englund), writing and directing rise above the level of the usual low-budget stuff, showing promise for all involved. Too many times, films like this feel slap-dash and rushed, and this one didn't. I felt the time and care put into it. To me, this goes a long way towards forgiving a film its small flaws.

The only real gripe I have is with Binkley, the actor chosen to play the killer Chambers. Physically, he fits the brute killer role perfectly, but acting-wise, I felt like he didn't quite pull it together, too stilted for my taste. But, a minor gripe for a small movie like this.

Definitely recommended for horror/slasher fans.