Movie Review: Killer Under the Bed (2018)
Synopsis: In mourning for her dead father and upset with a recent move, a teenager, Kilee, discovers a Voodoo doll hanging in the shed and decides to use it. At first, its magical powers seem like a great thing, helping her get revenge against a bully and gain attention from a teacher she has a crush on. But, as the doll begins to get stronger and her wishes backfire, she realizes she has to find a way to stop it before it is too late.
Who's in it? The movie stars Kristy Swanson, Brec Bassinger, Madison Lawlor, Chris Prascus and Ashlee Fuss.
Review: I came across this film yesterday morning and, thinking it sounded somewhat interesting, decided to record it so my wife and I could watch it yesterday evening. We wound up doing just that and, unfortunately, it wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it would be.
The best way I can think of to describe this film is it is a bit like a combination of The Monkey's Paw and Child's Play. Personally, I think it worked better as the former than as the latter.
In other words, seeing the creepy Voodoo doll grant Kilee's (Bassinger) wishes was somewhat entertaining, especially when the "good" wishes ultimately ended up having negative consequences, such as her teacher (Prascus) turning into a creepy stalker because she wished that he "liked" her. But, once it came to life, the movie got a little too ridiculous for me.
It's not as though a doll crawling across the floor carrying a knife wasn't creepy, it's just something that has been done a few too many times before and, like other movies, is played out in a way where the doll's victims essentially have to forget they are much bigger and stronger than it is. As a result of this, I would have much rather seen the doll remain inanimate and have the movie focus much more on its curses, ability to possess people and other supernatural powers.
Of course, not helping with all of this had to be the decision to cast Kristy Swanson as the mom. It's not as though I don't like her as an actress, I just kept picturing her as Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever she was up against the doll and it seemed much more comical than it was probably intended to be.
Final Opinion: It's not the worst movie I've seen. But, I do think the writers tried to do a bit too much when they decided to make the doll essentially ignore its supernatural powers and try to kill people with a knife instead. I think it had the potential to be a much better movie without that.
My Grade: C
Who's in it? The movie stars Kristy Swanson, Brec Bassinger, Madison Lawlor, Chris Prascus and Ashlee Fuss.
Review: I came across this film yesterday morning and, thinking it sounded somewhat interesting, decided to record it so my wife and I could watch it yesterday evening. We wound up doing just that and, unfortunately, it wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it would be.
The best way I can think of to describe this film is it is a bit like a combination of The Monkey's Paw and Child's Play. Personally, I think it worked better as the former than as the latter.
In other words, seeing the creepy Voodoo doll grant Kilee's (Bassinger) wishes was somewhat entertaining, especially when the "good" wishes ultimately ended up having negative consequences, such as her teacher (Prascus) turning into a creepy stalker because she wished that he "liked" her. But, once it came to life, the movie got a little too ridiculous for me.
It's not as though a doll crawling across the floor carrying a knife wasn't creepy, it's just something that has been done a few too many times before and, like other movies, is played out in a way where the doll's victims essentially have to forget they are much bigger and stronger than it is. As a result of this, I would have much rather seen the doll remain inanimate and have the movie focus much more on its curses, ability to possess people and other supernatural powers.
Of course, not helping with all of this had to be the decision to cast Kristy Swanson as the mom. It's not as though I don't like her as an actress, I just kept picturing her as Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever she was up against the doll and it seemed much more comical than it was probably intended to be.
Final Opinion: It's not the worst movie I've seen. But, I do think the writers tried to do a bit too much when they decided to make the doll essentially ignore its supernatural powers and try to kill people with a knife instead. I think it had the potential to be a much better movie without that.
My Grade: C
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