Thorns – Frightfest 2023 Movie Review
Director: Douglas Schulze
Writer: Douglas Schulze (Screenplay)
Cast
- Doug Bradley (Hellraiser)
- Cassandra Schomer (Splinters)
- Jon Bennett (Time’s Up)
- Bo Shumaker
Plot: An ex-priest working for NASA is sent to investigate a remote observatory that went silent after receiving a radio signal from deep space. He discovers that signal has set in motion the biblical end of times.
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Thorns starts when ex-priest Gabriel (Bennett) gave up his faith and working for NASA now. His latest job sees him investigating the sudden loss of radio signal at one of NASA stations. He gets a warning from Arch Bishop Jenkins (Bradley) before heading into the observatory.
Once Gabriel arrives, he goes in search of the head of the observatory Dr Malick. However, all he finds is an abandoned building with biblical versions covering the walls. Until he meets a creature of nightmares and a mute nun (Schomer). Gabriel finds himself in the middle of a battle between good and evil, one that could define the very existence of mankind.
Verdict on Thorns
Thorns is a horror movie following a faithless former priest that has been working for NASA. His latest assignment is to understand the mystery of a new discovery that has left an observatory not communicating. However, he ends up in a place where he is facing more than he ever bargained for in a battle between good and evil.
This movie takes us down a nightmarish vision of a battle between good and evil. Each corridor we head down fills us with a new nightmare experience as the story unfolds. However, putting aside the outstanding visuals and effects work, we do get an even more impressive story. A story that demands our attention as each scene means something different moving forward.
Jon Bennett and Cassandra Schomer are both excellent in their roles. Hellraiser icon Doug Bradley joins the cast by bringing the deepest dialogue. We get a blend of Hellraiser, Stranger Things and The Void here and it delivers in every scene of the movie.
Final Thoughts –Thorns takes us on a nightmarish journey.
