Horror enthusiasts will be pleased

A slow and excruciatingly tense build-up involving key horror staples (an attractive couple caught in a deadly predicament, a monstrous child and a mother willing to protect the child by any means), introduces Grace writer/director Paul Solet as a new master of horror. The beautifully filmed, intelligently scripted, well-played Grace should do well attracting genre fans to the limited theatrical showings planned by Anchor Bay Entertainment.

Audiences aware of the film thanks to glowing word of mouth among the horror community will embrace the film's Brothers Grimm-like story, engaging young lead and frequent scares. Strong fan-boy support since the film's debut at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival will generate business similar to the summer's previous limited horror release, Dead Girl. More importantly, fresh awareness from theatrical biz will boost DVD and home video sales for Anchor Bay this fall.

The biggest beneficiary of the film's limited release will be Paul Solet, who will generate increased interest from film companies and producers who make horror movies on a regular basis.

Solet (who based the film on his similarly titled 2006 short film) emphasizes character background and mood over splatter. Mother-to-be Madeline Matheson (Jordan Ladd) is committed to a natural delivery of her baby instead of traditional hospital care. Her first tragedy involves an accident that leaves her baby stillborn. Her second, life-changing incident involves the once-dead baby regaining life. Quickly, Madeline understands that sacrifices must be made in order for her baby to live.

Solet makes his feature filmmaking debut with Grace paying worthy homage to Larry Cohen's 1974 cult horror It's Alive, also about a monster baby. Working with editors John Coniglio and Darrin Navarro, Solet wisely steps away from the lightning-fast storytelling method of standard horror fare and emphasizes a fable-like horror that burns slowly. Composer Austin Wintory provides the perfect soundtrack to the frights.

Grace is a scary movie worth celebrating if only for Solet's bravery for taking an approach far different from the successful Saw and Final Destination franchises.

Smart, stylish and appropriately stomach churning, horror fans lucky enough to be near one of the select venues will give the film high marks. Most of the unforgettable moments revolve around Jordan Ladd, who portrays a mother's compassion under strange circumstances with impressive credibility. Ladd's performance is standout and she deserves whatever career boost Grace may bring her way.

Grace is also strong enough and polished enough to warrant a wider release, similar to recent horrors Hostel and The Strangers, although most horror fans will discover the film on home video. Based on the enthusiastic responses from Sundance audiences, horror fans would react positively to more stories from Solet. After all, 35 years ago, Larry Cohen turned his baby monster into a horror trilogy. Perhaps, Solet will be inspired to do the same.

Distributor: Anchor Bay
Cast: Jordan Ladd, Samantha Ferris, Malcolm Stewart and Gabrielle Rose
Director/Screenwriter: Paul Solet
Producers: Cory Neal and Kevin DeWalt
Rating: R for bloody images, violence and some sexual content.
Running time: 85 min.
Release Date: August 14 ltd.