Director: Simon Pearce.
Cast: Martin Delaney, Lucy Cudden, Simon Merrellis, Alexander Perkins.
Jerry (Delaney), Anna (Cudden), Mark (Merrellis and Ian (Perkins) are a team of paranormal investigators who do a lot of their work in front of a camera, think Derek Acorah and Yvette Fielding in Most Haunted, only more believable. The team are sent to a village hall where recent unexplained activity has been witnessed. Whilst here they are also due to film a training video for the next generation of investigators.
All is going smoothly and there is little to worry about. Jerry is strutting his cock-sure way around the room doing his bits to camera, Anna is using her psychic abilities to test the area for phenomena and Ian is using his geeky tech skills to test the area for anomalies. Mark broods at various points around the room. However when they begin to realise they cannot explain what is happening, peculiar things start happening. Peculiar even for the experienced investigators.
Judas Ghost is at its core an indie paranormal film. But all praise to Pearce, he hasn't opted to for the overused found footage option that has saturated the market since The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. Pearce has cleverly reduced the location and outlandish plot points to focus on the narrative and the effects. This has paid off in terms of effects, as they are impressive for a film with a restricted budget. The plot, however, could do with a little more development. Whilst it is by no means poor, there are certain aspects that could have been developed further to help audiences invest and follow what is happening and the motivations behind it.
For example, we never really learn what is behind Mark's brooding. We learn about a troubled history but only in glimpses. If this was explored further it may provide more gravitas to the overall character and the plot itself. It would also have helped if the beast that torments the team was explained further or given more of a purpose for being there. This was given in the film to a certain extent, but more may have been beneficial in terms of rounding out the narrative journey.
The characters are relatively well developed in terms of their interactions. they appear to make a good team and although the character of Mark would benefit from further exploration of back story, the other characters are all individual enough to serve their purpose. They each bring to the team their own skill set and they mesh well together. There is a hint of a lust or romance between Jerry and Anna that is never explored fully which is refreshing, an over riding love story has the potential to cheapen a pure paranormal thriller. Delaney's confident, cocky Jerry is believable as a front-of-the-camera team leader. Whist writer Simon R. Green has filled the story with paranormal language he has also provided quips and comedy moments, especially for Jerry, that help an audience to bond with his character.
Judas Ghost is an interesting film, and whilst it may not break new ground or push any boundaries it does entertain. Considering its indie budget and limited setting it offers an intriguing plot, although this could have been developed further in certain areas. The actors are solid with Delaney's Jerry offering the most developed character. Enjoyable, if you consider its limitations.
Rating: 2.5/5