‘Nine innocent people. One dark night of hell on earth. One by one, horror by horror, they will play the game of death.’
The Black Waters of Echo’s Pond is a 2009 supernatural horror film directed by Gabriel Bologna (African Gothic) from a screenplay co-written with co-writers Sean Clark and Michael Berenson. It stars Robert Patrick, Danielle Harris and James Duval. The film’s score was provided by Harry Manfredini (Friday the 13th and sequels).
Release:
It premiered on October 11, 2009 as part of the Freak Show Horror Film Festival at the yearly Spooky Empire horror convention and the limited theatrical release was on April 9, 2010.
The film’s DVD and Blu-ray release was long-delayed until September 10, 2013.
Buy: Amazon.com
Plot teaser:
On a remote island, party animal Rick (James Duval), wild child Veronique (Mircea Monroe), uptight Robert (M.D. Walton) and six other friends are on vacation staying in a plush mansion, where they find a mysterious board game. But the game proves dangerous when it draws out the nastiest qualities in all of its players.
As buried fears, resentments, greed and sexual attractions quickly and unsettlingly emerge, the game’s goal becomes crystal clear: stay alive…
Reviews:
“As truths unfurl, resentments flare, and soon the kids are slaying each other with all manner of sharp objects, including, of course, a chainsaw. Bloody and gory, but in a friendly way, this is a movie for old-school horror fans who understand that, sometimes, bad is good.” Chuck Wilson, Village Voice
“Rather than the hard-edge, gruelling approach of many contemporary horror films, Black Waters of Echo’s Pond opts for the old-fashioned, sudden sting – which is over almost as soon as it begins. It’s almost quaint in its utter effectiveness. Easily the most impressive effect is the computer-generated blackened eyes of the possessed, which clear up with eerie efficiency as they expire.” Steve Biodrowsky, Cinefantastique
“Multinational, multi-ethnic protags are so shallow and bitchy we can hardly wait for them to start getting offed, but it takes nearly an hour for that mayhem to commence. Even then, pacing remains flat, exacerbated by bad dialogue, some subpar f/x and variable perfs. Overall production values are B-grade, cable-ready.” Dennis Harvey, Variety
“Give the movie a little credit for coming up with the idea of an ancient monster. And the design of the game is terrific. But this is just Jumanji with gore effects and topless scenes.” Stephen Witty, Newark Star-Ledger
“Besides the rough start to the movie, a plot line that is also confusing almost midway through, and not being 100% polished; The Black Waters of Echo’s Pond was worth the wait! I can see myself watching it again, and soon too! It has everything a horror fan could want, and an ending that isn’t too predictable.” Horror Society
Choice dialogue:
Rick: “Shit, we’re fucked!”
Cast:
- Robert Patrick as Pete
- Danielle Harris as Kathy
- Sean Lawlor as Charles
- James Duval as Rick
- Mircea Monroe as Veronique
- Nick Mennell as Josh
- Arcadiy Golubovich as Anton
- Electra Avellan as Renee
- Elise Avellan as Erica
- Walker Howard as Trent
- M.D. Walton as Robert
- Declan Joyce as Danny
- Nitsa Benchetrit as Florence
- Adamo Palladino as Niegel
- Jason Loughridge as Clint
- Steve Eoff as The Butler
- Melissa Barker as Inn Keeper
- Julie Stensland as The maid #1
- Tom Proctor as Thomas
- Richard Tyson as Nicholas
- Kurt Carley as The Pan
