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Cast: Brittany Murphy, John Robinson, Shantel VanSanten, Julian Morris, James Patrick Stuart
Inspired by true events, a young couple seeks to re-build their lives after a disastrous car crash that kills her parents. But secrets from their past threaten to disrupt their budding relationship. Christine (Shantel VanSanten) is stalked by a creepy, masked stranger, while James (John Robinson) experiences freakish encounters that nearly kill him. Christine’s sister-in-law, Susan (Brittany Murphy), a psychiatrist who observes the couple’s deteriorating relationship, sets out to determine what sinister forces are driving the madness. As she digs for answers, she finds out some things are best left unknown.
As the film opens the fatal car crash has already happened and then the film flashes back to a hour before. Christine and her boyfriend are enjoying a nice night out with her parents. But things get a little testy when James brings up the idea of the two starting a family. Both parents are totally against it because they think Christine should finish out her schooling first and plus you can tell they really do not like James that much because he never had a "proper" education.
When a bad storm begins they decide it is best to get home before things get worse. James is elected to drive since he is the only sober one at the table. While driving Christine's parents get in an argument which seems to distract James and he never sees the on coming train as he attempts to cross the tracks. Both of Christine's parents are killed in the accident, the film then jumps a year and it shows that the two are still together, trying to rebuild their lives. But things are not the same, Christine keeps seeing a masked person stalking her and she begins seeing visions of her dead father and mother as well. James is also having a hard time, he keeps having these "accidents" that nearly kill him.
Enter Christine's older brother and sister in-law. Her brother is over protective and a bit of a pervert, his marriage is on the rocks and his psychiatrist wife self medicates. Things begin to get more and more complicating as several characters enter into the picture.
Nothing is as it seems in this creepy mystery/thriller. There is a lot going on in the film with numerous characters involved in the story line, I am not going to go into anymore plot details here because I would only ruin the film for those wanting to see it. I suppose one of the biggest reasons people will want to see the film is because it is Brittany Murphy's final movie. I myself have always enjoyed her work and she delivered a very solid performance as the sister in-law looking for the truth behind what is going on. The rest of the cast including, John Robinson, Shantel VanSanten, Julian Morris and James Patrick Stuart were all very good as well.
"Something Wicked" is an above average thinking man's thriller that keeps you guessing and engaged all the way to its shocking ending.
Like I already stated the film is a mystery/thriller with some supernatural elements as well. There are several ghost effects used but this is more a plot and character driven film so do not expect much in the way of horror here.
I was very interested in seeing the film after watching the trailer, the film was not as good as I had hoped it would be but I enjoyed it either way and although it was not a big name film for Murphy I am sure it was one she was proud to be involved in. So if you like a good thriller that keeps you on the edge and guessing the whole time then I recommend checking this one out. Available now on DVD, you can order it HERE.
Released by ARC Entertainment
*** 1/4 Out Of *****