The date is October 15th, the night of the first harvest, and three brothers set out to dig up the body of a witch. Their buddy Mike claims to have killed one, and of course, they’d all like to check it out. They know the rules and will be respectful. I love to say it, and you love to hear it; what could possibly go wrong? It’s time to say a few words around a magic circle. In this American Southwest, witches are very real, and so is their wrath. Falling Stars, what a fitting title.
Stargazers
I love horror movies that begin with campfires under the stars. Instinctively, I settle in for a predictable slasher. In this instance, I was wrong. The intro to a radio show hosted by the captivating DJ Barry (J. Aaron Boykin) sets an ominous tone and segues to a dark, windy night, where three brothers gather to perform a ritual. Their decision to seek out their friend, Rob, and dig up a witch’s corpse will be the greatest regret of their lives. We don’t know much about what’s transpiring, but one thing is clear: it’s an important night, and the witches are watching. Nevertheless, they act calm and relaxed.
Rob leaves his wife and child behind and promises to return soon, but we know better. It’s pitch black, and the wind is rough and wild; their footfall is unsettling, and with a shovel in hand, they review some simple rules that someone will break. Shit hits the fan, and we’re along for the ride. The film relies heavily on its characters, a fantastically written story, and the surrounding environment to weave a terrifying and eerie tale.
Sacred ground
The setting, the ambient sounds, the foreboding clear night sky, and the simplicity of a buried witch in the desert are all we have, and it’s more than enough. From the start, the fear, tension, and anticipation of seeing a witch up close all lead to an exciting and dramatic third act. These three brothers know death is coming for them, and they must figure a way out of this curse on their own. Thereafter, all thoughts are of desperation and fear.
There’s so much to enjoy in Falling Stars. There’s a speed to their actions that is punctuated by incredible sound design, ambient music, and the realness in their steps and movement. Shaun Duke Jr. and Rene Leech were superb. You could see and feel the tension and dread on their faces. The night sky was almost hypnotic, making you stare into the void but simultaneously feel fear of what was there. Knowing what will happen nearly steals your breath.
Yay or nay?
I would recommend Falling Stars in a heartbeat. I see comments stating that the film was hampered by a small budget. However, I don’t think it is. It’s brilliant and expertly uses sound, gorgeous dark landscapes, and excellent writing. Not everything needs to be overboard, including special effects and the like. This is beautiful to watch. Moreover, the story is thrilling, and the fear is real. That final moment highlighting the dawn’s first light and the wind-swept desert was superb.
Falling Stars is the debut film of the director/ producer duo Gabriel Bienczycki and Richard Karpala. The screenplay was written by Karpala, and the cinematography was by Bienczycki. Falling Stars opens in select theaters on Friday, October 11th, from XYZ Films and VOD. Catch this in a theater to fully immerse yourself in the darkness and sound of a still night out in the desert on the first night of the harvest, where witches really do come true.
