Summoning The Spirit: Review

10th August 2023

Carla (Krystal Millie Valdes) and Dean (Ernesto Reyes) are a couple looking for a fresh start. Buying a house in a remote forest, they think they’ve finally found the peace and tranquillity that they’ve always wanted.

However, once they get there they realise that a cult has settled on their land and they’re not about to give it up. Also, their leader believes that he has telepathic powers and is able to communicate with the legendary Bigfoot that roams the woods. Something that turns out to be a test of their disbelief and their relationship as Carla’s involvement with the cult grows stronger.

Summoning the Spirit is a dark drama directed by Jon Garcia and co-written by Zach Carter. A genre horror on the surface, it turns out that Summoning the Spirit goes far deeper than the audience may expect.

As Carla grows closer to the cult, her relationship with Dean is tested. He’s completely exasperated as to how this could have happened so quickly, yet Carla seems happier than she’s been for a long time. Showing the cult in an even light, they just seem to be the happy clappy, one with nature type and don’t mean any harm to anybody. However, it’s the nature of Carla and Dean’s relationship which may turn out to be more damaging.

Those expecting a genre horror where a group of people are gathered, underestimating nature’s power as the Bigfoot tears them to shreds may be disappointed. Because Summoning the Spirit could barely be called horror at all.

Instead, it’s about the relationship between its two leads and even leads to Carla’s redemption and perhaps freedom to be the person she wants to be. This is particularly evident as when Carla joins the cult, it’s left up to the audience to decide on their virtues.

In fact, there may even be a little mismarketing as the grizzly, red eyed Bigfoot monster barely makes an appearance and when he does, there’s more to him than first impressions allow. A film experience that may not be what they audience were looking for, but one that may make them sees things differently.

Facebook

Google

Twitter

We hope you're enjoying BRWC. You should check us out on our social channels, subscribe to our newsletter, and tell your friends. BRWC is short for battleroyalewithcheese.