Don't Knock Twice

A fun amalgam of Asian horror with '80s-style storytelling, Caradog W. James' ("The Machine") new horror film "Don't Knock Twice" is sort of a "Candyman" meets "The Ring" with some "Lights Out" thrown in for good measure.

While the elements are familiar, it's still a creepy, well-made ride that manages to thrill and scare while being consistently interesting. This is helped by a great lead performance from "Battlestar Galactica's" Katee Sackhoff, who grounds a fairly clich� role with a depth that allows us to believe in and care for her.

Sackhoff's Jess is a former drug addict and painter who gave up her young daughter when she realized she couldn't take care of her in the state she was in. Cut to fourteen years later and she wants back in her daughter's life. Chloe (Lucy Boynton) is a rebellious girl who has grown up in a group home without the consistent love of a parent and her independent and cocky attitude are the result. However, she wants nothing to do with her mother and refuses to spend time with her.

One night, Chloe and her friend Danny (Jordan Bolger) go to an old, dilapidated house near a freeway and tempt fate. The legend of the house states that an old woman named Mary (nicknamed Ginger because of her red locks, pulled into a tight, severe bun) is a witch that kidnapped one of their friends when they were younger and fed him to the devil. The story goes if you knock once, you will summon her; you knock twice, and she will come for you. The two teens do this (despite their legitimate fear) and then go about their lives. But when tragedy befalls Danny, Chloe decides she should go stay with mom for a while just in case Ginger is coming for her.

Mom is thrilled to have her, but when things start getting weird, she isn't sure if her dear old daughter is being a problem child or if there is something much sinister going on. The resulting mystery takes a few clever twists and turns, and Ginger's hauntings genuinely begin to get under our lead's skin. And ours.

James does a fantastic job of setting up mood, whether it be his use of long shots and shadows or the music and sound design, which is frequently discomforting and comes up with a whole array of odd unsettling noises. The few jump scares that are here are effective, but it is the unknown and the nervous anticipation of what's to come that makes this film work. And when the haunted spirit appears, it is truly unsettling. Blessfully, the filmmakers use actual live actors to bring the witch to life rather than a CGI creation like the abominable "Mama." That tangibility is what makes "Don't Knock Twice" a truly frightening thrill ride.

Sure, we've seen all of this before (truly original horror movies are rare) but just like a romantic comedy can have all the usual trappings but be dressed up in a fun original package, so can horror films. With its creepy music, great performances, and terrific cinematography, "Don't Knock Twice" is a rule fans of the horror genre should break. It's time to ask "Who's there?" and be careful of who answers.