Not all horror flicks make the grade especially when they put too much into their production that it becomes a yawner. Although this is the case for the movie Head Count, if you are a fan of the paranormal and have not seen the movie US, then you may get a few goosebumps out of it. Being on a low budget also works against the movie when they have to settle for inexperienced actors, camera work, and direction, but in most cases as long as the story is good, only film critics would notice.
Evan (Isaac Jay) visits his brother Peyton (Cooper Rowe) instead joining his fellow classmates for spring break. It’s been a tradition for the brothers to put some time in together and Peyton has a plan. As Peyton works in a wilderness park that’s mostly dessert and rocky plateaus, it’s a destination a lot of young people venture.
Having set up a trip in a different location this year does peak Evan’s interest so he ups his game to enjoy the friendship out in the wild. It isn’t long when the two meet up with a group of teens that are spending their break in the park. Eyeing Evan, Zoe (Ashleigh Morghan) gives him a big smile and he returns the look. Since Zoe is the only one in the group that does not have a partner on their trip, her best friend Camille (Bevin Bru) urges her to speak to Evan.
Camille asks Evan and Peyton to join their group, but Peyton doesn’t want anything to do with the underage drug and drinking set. But, Evan sees an opportunity to join with his age group and takes it. Others in the group include Vanessa (Chelcie May) who’s with Max (Billy Meade), Sam (Michael Herman) has paired with Tori (Tory Freeth), Haley (Amaka Obiechie) has Nico (Hunter Peterson) in tow and Bryan is with Camille. Evan hits it off with Zoe until one night they see something strange in the shadows.
The film goes on from there with the buildup of personalities, the drinking and pot smoking. Novice director and story writer Elle Callahan does her best to not string out the film before adding the paranormal entity into the film. She tries to follow the formula that makes the story a mystery yet spooky and then very scary, but the long buildup coupled with several unrealistic scenes cause a downward spiral from which she’s never able to make a recovery. It’s actually a very common mistake for budding filmmakers that will make them even better.
Although it’s good to appear in any film, most actors will take chances on the director and writer if it at least gets a showing on some media. Opening on VOD and Digital HD will at least have distribution into homes and on the go. Of the standouts here, Isaac Jay as Evan, Ashleigh Morghan as Zoe and the feisty Bevin Bru as Camille get the most screen time and should be recognizable the next time they appear in a film.
Head Count has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains drug and alcohol use by minors, language, some violence and a sexual situation. It’s available on VOD and Digital HD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: For die hard paranormal fans. (2 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Chelcie May, Michael Herman, Tory Freeth, Billy Meade, Sam Marra, Amaka Obiechie, Hunter Peterson, Bevin Bru, Cooper Rowe
Directed and co-screenwriter: Elle Callahan
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains drug and alcohol use by minors, language, some violence and a scene of sexuality
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Opening Date: June 14, 2019
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Released in: VOD, Digital HD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
