A New ‘Take’

Legendary horror director Wes Craven, creator of the “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream” franchises, returns from hiatus with his new slasher flick “My Soul To Take.” While Craven has created a multitude of iconic moments in horror, this film will more likely be remembered as his biggest financial failure. That said, the movie is a surprising gem in the least respected genre: teen-horror.

“My Soul To Take” is set in Riverton, MA and centers around seven teens, known as the Riverton Seven, all born on the same day that the Riverton Ripper, a serial killer who’s story is told during the first 10 minutes of the movie, supposedly died. Now, sixteen years after his “death,” the Riverton Seven are picked off one by one. The main focus of the film is on two of the seven, outcasts Alex (John Magaro) and Bug (Max Theiriot). Alex is Bug’s only friend and ringleader of the two. Bug frequently blacks out, wakes up screaming and often says he sees things; basically he’s a bucket of neurosis.

The first half of the movie is more quirky-teen flick than horror film and seems to almost laugh at the teen-horror genre, with silly lines and stereotypical characters. The trite storyline only works because of Craven’s knack for dialogue that is so obviously cheesy it’s charming.

“Do you think I’m a monkey, Alex?”

“Have you killed people, Bug?”

“Not that I remember…”

“Well I don’t remember buying you bananas.”

Along with dialogue reminiscent of ‘80s sitcoms, Craven’s characters are surprisingly relatable considering they are the typical group of stereotypes that often plague teen-screams, such as the blond mean girl, the jock/bully and the freaky religious chick. These redeeming qualities, as well as a plethora of talented young actors, are what make “My Soul To Take” more than a half-baked pick-them-off movie.

Normally a cast full of teenage actors is a promised disappointment, but Theiriot outshines the adults and repeatedly impresses in his first lead role. Theiriot plays Bug with a confused puppy dog face but at the same time has a commanding presence, which keeps the audience questioning the sanity of our presumed hero, Bug.

As relatable as the film is, the second half becomes a thrilling piece of horror as the last of the Seven must figure out how to destroy the Ripper or possibly the Ripper’s soul. With the shift into the second half, Craven adds red herrings to create suspense throughout the last act. The ending scenes keep the audience suspecting someone new with every twist.

The 3D’s only effect on the film was the ending credits. Nothing popped out of the screen and the 3D previews before the film were more eventful. The fact that it was $2.75 extra seems like a big money-grab, especially after learning that the film was not originally shot in 3D but converted at the last minute.

“My Soul To Take” may have bombed at the box office, losing over $9 million, but the film is sure to be an underrated horror classic with the high school demographic. This horror flick is a top pick for Halloween movie-goers due to its blood bathes, body count and high school drama.

Three out of Four Stars