The Exorcism of Karen Walker [DVD]

Product Information

Sothcott is the CEO of Shogun Films, a prolific production company focusing on crime and thriller movies. Sothcott's published works include The Jermyn Street Shirt (The History Press, 2021) and The Cult Films of Christopher Lee (Eaton Books, 2000). Hereford Horror, the genre wing of UK home entertainment studio Hereford Films, presents the first look at the British key art for its first production, The Exorcism of Karen Walker, which arrives on DVD and digital on February 18 thcourtesy of 4Digital Media.

The exorcism is a terrifying ordeal, and it becomes clear that the demon possessing Karen is incredibly powerful. As the exorcism progresses, the demon becomes more and more violent, and it becomes uncertain whether Karen will survive. FIVE NIGHTS in Three Dimensions– FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S takes a two-dimensional game and turns it into a three-dimensional nightmare. What sets the film apart from the usual horror fodder though is the performances. Shane Taylor is utterly convincing as Mitch and holds the whole thing together with his conviction and subtle underplaying. Denise Moreno as the titular Karen is unsettling in the extreme and its great to see Rula Lenska pulling out all the stops in a career-best performance. Hereford Horror have today provided a first look at the British key art for its first production, THE EXORCISM OF KAREN WALKER, which arrives on DVD and digital on the February 18 th.With help from local psychic Ada (Rula Lenska) he sets about trying to free Karen from the evil inside her… but the evil has other ideas. The film takes place in a world of few people, features barely any establishing shots, and could easily be adapted for a stage play. It’s well lit, the score is great, but punters wanting plenty of scares could be disappointed. The realms of low-budget filmmaking is where you’ll find most of the top-quality horror fare from over the years, and will always be the best new discoveries will always be found, particularly in this new era of the streaming services. The Exorcism Of Karen Walker stems from a great, original idea by producer Jonathan Sothcott, and the resulting film is crafted extremely well, perfectly capturing the essence of the old features it frequently pays homage to, and the four actors at the heart of the story, Taylor, Nerissa-Sothcott, Lenska and particularly Moreno (pictured above), pleasingly play out the narrative. The film is a slow-burner, for sure, and its raw nature may not suit all tastes, but as the story gradually works its way to a frankly jaw-dropping, affecting final scene – which I did not see coming – it’s hard not to walk away completely satisfied.

The chiller was written and directed by Steve Lawson. Shane Taylor, Janine Nerissa, Denise Moreno and much-loved television actress Rula Lenska all star in the film. Rather than base their story in the UK – where Hereford’s previous movies have all been set – the filmmakers opt to set ‘Exorcism’ in America, not only adding a new flavour to their repertoire, but also setting themselves new challenges and ambition too. It is glorious to look at, the cinematography dark, moody, and full of foreboding creepiness. Producer Jonathan Sothcott finally puts his money where his mouth is with the first in his much-touted Hereford Horror films and while it isn’t what I was expecting, it certainly delivers on the fright front. In The Exorcism Of Karen Walker (15), a couple discovers Kirlian photography apparatus in their new house. Intrigued by the concept of photographing peoples’ auras, they unwittingly release an ancient evil. Shattering all-time records at the box-office, Blumhouse’s Five Nights at Freddy’s, the haunting new horror film based on the video game series created by Scott Cawthon, will be available with never-before-seen bonus content on Digital November 28, 2023, and 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on December 12, 2023, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.I’m guessing London is doubling for the US as psychic Rula Lenska charges in dollars, though she might be just a very savvy businesswoman catering for international clients. The movie takes time setting up its story with lengthy scenes and word-perfect dialogue. Everything has a slightly drawn-out feel, and could have done with some snappier editing. There are a few chills here and there, but not enough to satisfy hardcore horror fans. Due to a prolonged set-up and obvious framing of a couple of characters, the obligatory twist is signposted five minutes before the pay-off. Great scares are all in the edit. For example, have a long shot of a parked car in a spy thriller, chances are it will explode, to nobody’s amazement. No explosions here, but a similar framing problem means the twist is pretty much delivered on a plate. Its clearly made on a shoestring but its well directed and the special effects are impressive. The jump scares we have come to expect from this genre are few and far between but when they come they are definitely effective.

The film opens to a couple – Mitch (Shane Taylor) and Diane (Janine Nerissa Sothcott) – moving into a massive house, inherited from Mitch’s uncle, much to the dismay of his deeply religious mother (Jane Mcfarlane). Diane is pregnant, so the offer of a much bigger house is clearly welcomed at a time when their family is due to expand. However, things aren’t all they first seem. We learn that Mitch’s sister – the Karen Walker of the title (Denise Moreno) – has been committed to a local mental institution, years previous, following a stint living with their late uncle in said property. The discovery of an old Kirlian camera in the mansion’s basement gets Mitch thinking – maybe the two are connected. Sitting Karen in front of the camera seems to baffle Mitch’s further, so he hires the services of local psychic Ada (Rula Lenska) for some advice, though her thoughts on the family’s situation may not be what h wants to hear. Could there be something more paranormal and sinister at work in his sibling’s body? One of the strengths of the movie is that it doesn't rely on cheap jump scares or gore to create scares. Instead, it focuses on building tension and creating an unsettling atmosphere, which makes the horror all the more effective. The exorcism scene is particularly well-done, and it is sure to give viewers goosebumps. No, it’s not a Hallowe’en edition of Will and Grace featuring Megan Mullally’s namesake alter ego, but a British chiller which centres on the eponymous young woman and her spiritual problems. Amidst such heavy hitting thesping the stand out, however, is Janine Nerissa Sothcott, briefly seen in last year’s The Krays – Dead Man Walking and here playing her first lead. An incredibly naturalistic performer with real star quality she more than holds her own with veterans Taylor and Lenska and gives the only warm performance in a very cold film. Definitely an actress to watch. The all-new bonus content for Five Nights at Freddy’s gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic animatronics and recreating the immersive world of the game.

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Anyway, Karen (Denise Moreno) is obviously possessed (thanks to the giveaway title), and with the aid of a special camera (which is like an Instax or Polaroid for Ghostbusters), we can see how freaky her aura is.

Before making his name in feature films, Sothcott produced documentaries and moderated DVD commentaries for numerous cult films, including The Wild Geese, Dr. Who and the Daleks, Summer Holiday, and many horror films. Cinematography and music are excellent too and if the production values are limited, well, this IS a straight to video horror movie. Genre fans of all ages will enjoy this classy, sophisticated chiller and will no doubt be eager for the tantalisingly teased sequel we can expect next year. However, full marks to Hereford Films for taking the Blumhouse approach to horror. Tight, low budget chillers that put bums on seats and should hopefully make enough cash to generate sequels. Anything that pumps new blood into the British horror film industry is all right by me. Hopefully their next offering will be more stalk less talk. FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: From Game to Big Screen– Feel the frights of Freddy Fazbear’s come alive as the film recreates the game’s world with immersive environments and wild surprises that’ll haunt longtime fans and newcomers alike.Described as an old school horror movie in the tradition of the Hammer and Amicus films of the 1970s, The Exorcism of Karen Walker is the first film to fully explore the concept of Kirlian photography – a process of photographing a person’s ‘aura’. Accidentally discovered by Semyon Kirlian in 1939, it has been the subject of much myth and speculation ever since.