Let’s get ratchet, let’s get ratchet. Look at her prettier than Halle, and thicker than Janet. (It’s a song by Hurricane Chris, but you really don’t wanna listen…) Ok, so, maybe that’s not the best way to picture Lilith Ratchet, but it’s all my brain could think of when starting this review. In reality, the new villain introduced by Eddie Lengyel is a cross between Dead Silence‘s Mary Shaw and Stay Alive‘s Elizabeth Bathory. A game can summon her, and once you’re cursed – she won’t stop until you’re dead. The latest film in the American Poltergeist saga from ITN Distribution, The Curse of Lilith Ratchet is easily the best installment and introduces a character that I’d love to see again in the future. Based on the screenplay by Eddie Lengyel, the film follows a popular radio host, Hunter Perry, as his friends uncover a new creepy box to be featured on his next show. It’s only after a club appearance turned ritual ceremony calls Lilith Ratchet to their city that the group of friends realize they’re in grave danger. As their numbers dwindle, the body count rises, and ghosts from the past and present linger in the air, it becomes clear that stopping this supernatural entity will cost more than an apology. It’ll cost their souls. Rob Jager, Katelynn E. Newberry, Roger Conners, Brianna Burke, Angela Cole, George Tutie, DJ Remark and Crissy Kolarik star in The Curse of Lilith Ratchet, an exciting new film from Fright Teck Pictures and Dager 3 Media.
Writing off The Curse of Lilith Ratchet as a Dead Silence and Stay Alive hybrid would be too easy. It incorporates a lot of other horror elements, too, some of which are based in reality. I can see some homages to and possible inspiration from the The Dybbuk Box and Lizzie Borden stories. What culminates here is a rich, well-written story that’s somehow manifests as a slight, classic 90’s vibe and a modern, gratification ensuing plot, especially with the radio show hook, that’s going to be all-encompassing to horror fans. This also means that The Curse of Lilith Ratchet falls victim to several typical horror film cliches while ramping up its palpable suspense and goretastic climax. A centuries old urban legend involving a witch and a long lost love turns into a story of unspeakable terror in The Curse of Lilith Ratchet, directed and produced by Eddie Lengyel. In this way, Eddie has really stepped up his game, especially when I look back at his previous works. The Curse of Lilith Ratchet is easily his best feature film to date, and it’s quite possibly one of the best independent releases of the year. Calling it independent would be doing it an injustice, though. With grand locations, a full club scene, practical effects, an enthralling villain, professional actors and expert cinematography & editing from Greg Kraus, this movie transcends typical low budget movie standards and graduates to a well rounded, high quality feature film. The ‘independent’ tag is not warranted or needed here.
The Curse of Lilith Ratchet was cast to perfection. The local talent featured within are just waiting to burst into more mainstream work. In the same way that this film might put Eddie Lengyel on the map, it could possibly be the vehicle to jump-start a more lucrative career for these actors. Everyone looks good, everyone sounds good. Rob Jager is the perfect, charismatic lead actor, and Katelynn E. Newberry is the perfect survivor girl. As the madness ensues, the main characters suffer slight, but notice-able mental breakdowns, which pays tributes to their skills as performers as much as it does Lengyel’s realistic script. When it comes to Roger Conners, though, I’d like to mention that he steps out of his typical “Scream Queer” role and tackles a heterosexual one in The Curse of Lilith Ratchet. Somehow, he’s able to tone down his daily life persona to pass as a real straight dude. If you’re a casting executive who’s passed on him before because of his proposed orientation, well, I’m here to say he’s capable of pulling off anything – straight, gay, drag, and everything in between. Speaking of casting, when The Curse of Lilith Ratchet premiered in Ohio on September 20th, it was dedicated to [], a featured actress who passed away just before the film made its big screen debut. Look for The Curse of Lilith Ratchet to screen again on October 28th in Euclid, Ohio. And Crissy Kolarik. Girl, you absolutely stole the show as Lilith Ratchet!
In hopes of maintaining a fair review, I should mention that The Curse of Lilith Ratchet is slower than it needs to be at times. However, this is remedied by the advanced plot that cuts right to the chase as soon as it opens. Despite this, the movie showcases a cool prop and a retro villain that I absolutely loved, though she’s much more terrifying in low light! Exhilarating, classic and fun all rolled into one, I didn’t expect this movie to be as good as it turned out to be. What a wonderful surprise. Congratulations to everyone involved for their part in creating a hauntingly beautiful, gory nightmare and one of the best horror films to come out this year. Lets summon her again. I want more… Final Score: 9 out of 10.
