Anything for Jackson

Starts off really well and has some really quite disturbing, inventive and shocking moments with good performances from all involved.

Unfortunately it cannot sustain the level of suspense and horror and the ending sadly just wastes the entirety of what came before with a disappointing denouement but still an above average 6 hatchets out of 10 from me on this one!

This slow-burning horror, following a kind but determined satanist couple and their self-defeating desire to bring back their deceased grandson, is the kind of film that begs a second viewing. I didn't appreciate it the first time I saw it, but the second time around, the strong acting skills, special effects and underlying tragedy of the story won me over. Anything For Jackson somehow evokes an outpour of empathy for this couple of kidnappers, as it becomes more apparent the gravity of the losses they faced, and the lengths they went to in order to overcome them. Fans of Supernatural, Roxy Hunter and Hard Core Logo will instantly recognize Julian Richings as Henry, and Sheila McCarthy works very well with him in the role of satanist grandmother Audrey. Up-and-coming actor Josh Cruddas is memorable as the narcissistic satanist bum, Ian, a childish but obsessively devoted helper to the protagonists, and Yannick Bisson and Lanette Ware compliment every scene they're in. As a dark comedy and occult horror, Anything For Jackson works strangely well. While not perfect, and at times campy, it's a well-made and quite unforgettable story worth checking out.

"Anything for Jackson" turned out to be a rather pleasantly surprisingly good horror movie. I was genuinely entertained by what writer Keith Cooper and director Justin G. Dyck delivered with this 2020 movie.

The storyline in "Anything for Jackson" actually proved to be one that blended elements of a handful of older classic horror movies together, while actually maintaining its own plot. And I will say that I definitely liked the story told here, and it made for a wholesome horror experience.

Now, it should be said that "Anything for Jackson" is not a horror movie in the sense of jump scares and attempts to thrill the audience with gory effects and brutality. No, "Anything for Jackson" is more of a subtle horror movie that slowly creeps in under your skin and sticks with you, as it is a story that resonates with many different elements; such as the bonds of a family, the love between two people, the willingness to make sacrifices, supernatural elements, religious elements, etc. There was an abundance of things here that made for an enjoyable plot.

While the story told in "Anything for Jackson" is somewhat disturbing and creepy, there is also something profoundly beautiful about it at the same time. It is truly something rather unique that writer Keith Cooper managed to conjured up here. And there is just the right amount of absurdity to the storyline as well, to spruce it up with just a hint of dark, twisted humor.

The acting in "Anything for Jackson" was just spot on, and I will say that lead actor Julian Richings (playing Henry Walsh) and lead actress Sheila McCarthy (playing Audrey Walsh) were phenomenal in the roles, and they were so well-cast for this particular movie. I was struggling a bit with the character portrayed by actor Josh Cruddas, as he was just a spoof and so hard to take serious.

"Anything for Jackson" is a horror movie that is well-worth the time and effort to sit down and watch. And I can warmly recommend that you do so, if you find yourself given the opportunity, especially if you enjoy horror movies that transcends the usual gore and in-your-face-scares.

My rating of "Anything for Jackson" is a well-deserved six out of ten stars.

Considering the low quality of a lot of horror output recently I wasn't expecting much from this movie. But what a surprise.

The story is well written and tight, nicely paced, and with plenty of intrigue so you never really know where it is going.

The characters are superbly portrayed by the entire cast.

If you want to see a good horror movie that doesn't involve teens screaming in some remote location - this is a movie to watch.

The horror gendre has been one of my favorites for my entire life, yet the production of good movies in said gendre has been lacking, to put it mildly, in recent memory.

The horror movies that are effective, for myself at least, are those which don't rely on jump scares and actually endeavour to creep you out, thereby instilling a lasting emotion when thinking about the film.

Anything for Jackson, although not outstanding per se, does a fairly decent job of being creepy.

The acting is fairly good, and though I admit I do have a soft spot for Julian Richings who plays Dr. Henry Walsh, the entire cast does a competent job. The writing was up to snuff as well, taking a very basic premise and fleshing it out, and the make up and effects department did a great job.

I would recommend Anything for Jackson for a decent 90 minute watch.