As compared to vampires, werewolves, and zombie, witches and witchcraft have had a quieter run in horror. Yes, The Blair Witch Project, Suspiria, The Craft, and The Witch are horror classics. On the indie horror scene, you’ll a few more recent options including The Reckoning, Hellbender, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, and The Love Witch. Last fall, a little horror movie called Summoners premiered at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival before making its away across a handful of other festivals. An under-the-radar effort, a handful of critics have commented on Summoners and give it a thumbs up.
Synopsis
After her mother’s death, Jessica left her hometown, leaving behind her father, friends, and witchcraft. Now 10 years later, Jessica feels something inexplicably pulling her back home. Upon her return, she tries to mend the estranged relationship with her father and re-connects with Alana, an old friend. But when Alana coaxes Jessica into practicing magic with her again, she suspects that she’s been drawn back home by something more than just her own will.
Summoners May Lack the Atmosphere and Overt Scares for Most Horror Fans
Maybe the promotional poster for Summoners is a bit misleading. Technically, writer and director Terrence Krey has made a horror movie about witches and witchcraft. Something ominous summons Jessica home after years away. And there’s meticulous attention paid to the ritual and steps of spells. In this regard, Summoners feels like a spiritual cousin to Irish horror export, A Dark Song. In spite of the similar grounded approach to the supernatural elements, Summoners lacks that same consistent dread that defined A Dark Song. That is, Krey takes a different approach resulting in much different tone.
…Krey takes a different approach resulting in much different tone.
Of course, Summoners still weaves horror elements into its story – it delivers a handful of scary moments. In these scenes, Krey shows off a good grasp of the material delving into a more uneasy atmosphere when the story requires it. For most of the movie, the witchcraft bits initially feel light, almost whimsical, as it reunites Jessica and Alana. This is a slow-burn thriller that holds back on the more overt horror until the final act. Here, Summoners feels genuinely scary and, due to it earlier restraint, the horror feels more impactful.
Summoners Tells More Personal Story Supported by Strong Performances
Ultimately, Summoners is more interested in exploring very real emotions and relationships and less focused on the supernatural. No, the horror elements aren’t in the background – they’re more a catalyst for the story and themes being explored. At its core, Summoners is a movie about grief and relationships; it’s Alana’s ritual that brings Jessica back and forces her to confront the guilt and loss over her mother’s death. Similarly, Alana struggles with grief and guilt to a point where she feels only magic can offer her some peace. Krey and co-writer Christine Nyland (who also plays Jessica) aren’t interested in horror story where souls or the fate of humanity are stake. Instead, they’re telling a more personal story using familiar horror narratives.
At its core, Summoners is a movie about grief and relationships …
Consistent with the story and its themes, both lead performances from Nyland and MacLean Peterson feel raw and person. In particular, one scene in a school parking lot gives Peterson an opportunity to shine as she lays out the extent of Alana’s guilt. While the performances are good, Summoners never quite convinces audiences that Jessica and Alana’s bond was as close as the story requires. Specifically, the characters spend too much time apart on screen while their individual losses and traumas intersect too infrequently. Though it’s not a major detriment to the movie, it’s felt a bit more in the finale, thereby reducing some of the emotional impact. On a side note, indie horror fans will be happy to see Larry Fessenden turn up in a supporting role.
Summoners Uses Witchcraft as a Vehicle for Exploring Grief and Fractured Relationships
Despite its subject matter and basic premise, Summoners is not best described as a horror movie. First and foremost, Krey has made a movie about guilt and broken relationships that employs some horror elements. The result is an intimate and impressive drama built around two strong lead performances. While the horror is well constructed throughout the movie, it’s almost always in the background until the finale. As such, audiences looking for overt chills and jumps will likely be disappointed. But if you’re looking for something smaller and more introspective, Summoners will prove to a pleasant surprise worth seeking out.