Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures present an R rated 96 minute film directed by Stephen Hopkins and starring Hilary Swank (Katherine Winter), David Morrissey (Doug), Idris Elba (Ben), AnnaSophia Robb (Loren McConnell), Stephen Rea (Father Costigan), William Ragsdale (Sheriff Cade), John McConnell (Mayor Brooks), David Jensen (Jim Wakeman), Andrea Frankle (Maddie McConnell), Mark Lynch (Brody McConnell) and Stuart Greer (Gordon).
Katherine a professor at Louisiana State University explores the myths of biblical plagues versus scientific reasoning and denounces any chances of religious theories by uncovering the possibilities of human enactments. She had lost her husband and child due to these biblical rituals and in the meantime befriended Father Costigan while abandoning her own religious beliefs as a Christian missionary. Thousands of years ago due to many bizarre occurrences many believed them to be due to the ten biblical plagues. In this day and age many thought they were over never to occur again but they did in a small town known as Haven.
Rivers of blood, dead fish, cattle and frogs, lice, locusts and dieing townspeople all point to the coming of Satan and plague. The citizens of Haven believe this curse lies in the body of a young twelve year old child, Loren McConnell. They seek help and that of Katherine and her colleague Ben to uncover the reasons of this so called plague. Father Costigan warns Katherine to stay away from this town due to the sign of an upside down sickle that has appeared in burning photos of Katherine. For some people it is easy to lose faith when faced with the loss of a loved one in your life by the means of unjust and primitive beliefs of sacrificial offerings to their Gods.
When the people of Haven no longer believe that the reasons for all the strange happenings are scientific they look to Katherine for reasons. Katherine looks to her faith in God and her theories of good and bad, heaven and hell, and the possibilities of angels on earth. Are the reasons for these plagues in Haven God's will or that of Satan's curse?
The cinematography in this film was fabulous from the storms, to the locusts, to the red river of blood. Swank once again delivers her role with integrity and conviction adding suspense, thrills and mystery to the writing even though at times leaves you guessing, possibly due to holes in the script or twist and turns that you must pay close attention too. Swank, surrounded by Elba, Robb and Morrissey as supporting characters helped to keep this film and its plot worthy of a night out at the movies. Albeit a little confusing yet sometimes predictable storyline this well acted visual wonder of a film is overall thrilling enough to make several people in the audience at this screening jump out of their seats.
The rivers ran red with blood. Darkness fell upon the earth. What hath God wrought? What about the boy reborn with the eyes of Satan? Find out for yourself and in the meantime enjoy a good cinematic thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing the possibilities of science versus faith right to the end.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.