Regression

REGRESSION

Director : Alejandro Amenabar

Year : 2015

Genre : Thriller

Rating : **1/2

Despite a strong calibre of cast and the talents of a director who has proven himself time and time again, 'Regression' is a wholly forgettable movie that tries to stand out amongst the thriller crowd with the help of horror-inflected set pieces but fatally fails to give it's audience anything to really connect to or root for. Ethan Hawke stars as Bruce Kenner, a small-time detective whose life is turned upside down when a routine case of child abuse actually turns out to be a bigger part of a supposed satanic ritual. With the help of David Thewlis's acerbic psychologist, Bruce attempts to unravel the memories of the young victim (ably played by an Emma Watson defiantly shedding her 'Harry Potter' skin) and uncover the truths behind the horrific crimes. 

Inspired by a speight of demonic practices that overwhelmed the USA in the 1980's, 'Regression' valiantly tries to balance it's more subdued narrative with outbursts of shocking and sometimes upsetting violence and director Alejandro Amenabar (who proved his horror credentials with 2001's brilliant 'The Others') certainly racks up the tension with 'Emily Rose'esque scenes of barn doors suspiciously blowing in the wind and suspect ravings about blood sacrifice and serving the will of the dark lord. However, the relentlessly slow tempo and lack of any interesting characters make for a rather dull affair and while it's perturbing finale comes way out of left field to wonderful effect, it's sadly not enough to recommend this intermittently chilling but demonstrably unremarkable picture.