Netflix users will probably be familiar with the frustrating experience of watching The Curse of Bridge Hollow. The streaming service has made a herculean effort to produce more original movies than the largest hollywood studios, and as a result, it has come to be somewhat identified with the so-called "algorithm movies" that make up the middle to lower tiers of its release schedule. These initiatives may go unnoticed by those outside the target demographics since they are so blatantly created to tick off category boxes. They may include well-known actors, as in this case, but their paint-by-numbers functioning is at best uninspiring and at worst destructive.
According to the plot of the film, Sydney (Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things) and her parents (Marlon Wayans and Kelly Rowland) relocate from their hectic life in New York City to Bridge Hollow, "the safest tiny town in America," a Salem-like New england community. Her father, who will be a science teacher at the local high school, has been heavily involved in his daughter's activities and has tried to discourage her love of the supernatural, which instantly puts him at odds with his new, Halloween-obsessed surroundings. Sydney, however, goes behind her father's back and conducts some research after discovering some like-minded friends and learning that her new home is purportedly haunted (...via a Ouija board app). Then, on Halloween, she unintentionally releases the evil spirit of neighbourhood legend Stingy Jack, who starts animating the town's decorations. Sydney is forced to work with her sceptic father and stop the rogue spirit before midnight if she wants to avoid having Halloween turn into every day of the year.
This is not a horrible notion, but because of its potential, The Curse of Bridge Hollow's execution is more disappointing. The movie does a good job of playing with variously themed decorations coming to life, from homicidal clowns to zombies to spiders, and doing so involves some strong special effects work. The finest adaptation of this film certainly borrows some ideas from Gremlins and expresses some curiosity about what it may be like for a community to be overrun by animated lawn ornaments, or at least exhibits the love for creature creation that inspires works like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow's lack of humour may be its greatest flaw, though. A few jokes make it far enough to cause a chuckle, but given the frequency of jokes, it hardly counts as a success. Many algorithm movies have succeeded by being just mildly amusing, but even in the tolerant world of family-friendly festive comedies, this one falls short. However, there's always a danger that some viewers, particularly those who are closest to Netflix's target audience, will err on the side of inoffensive diversion. But in the case of this movie, it's probably wise to take no chances.
According to the plot of the film, Sydney (Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things) and her parents (Marlon Wayans and Kelly Rowland) relocate from their hectic life in New York City to Bridge Hollow, "the safest tiny town in America," a Salem-like New england community. Her father, who will be a science teacher at the local high school, has been heavily involved in his daughter's activities and has tried to discourage her love of the supernatural, which instantly puts him at odds with his new, Halloween-obsessed surroundings. Sydney, however, goes behind her father's back and conducts some research after discovering some like-minded friends and learning that her new home is purportedly haunted (...via a Ouija board app). Then, on Halloween, she unintentionally releases the evil spirit of neighbourhood legend Stingy Jack, who starts animating the town's decorations. Sydney is forced to work with her sceptic father and stop the rogue spirit before midnight if she wants to avoid having Halloween turn into every day of the year.
This is not a horrible notion, but because of its potential, The Curse of Bridge Hollow's execution is more disappointing. The movie does a good job of playing with variously themed decorations coming to life, from homicidal clowns to zombies to spiders, and doing so involves some strong special effects work. The finest adaptation of this film certainly borrows some ideas from Gremlins and expresses some curiosity about what it may be like for a community to be overrun by animated lawn ornaments, or at least exhibits the love for creature creation that inspires works like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow's lack of humour may be its greatest flaw, though. A few jokes make it far enough to cause a chuckle, but given the frequency of jokes, it hardly counts as a success. Many algorithm movies have succeeded by being just mildly amusing, but even in the tolerant world of family-friendly festive comedies, this one falls short. However, there's always a danger that some viewers, particularly those who are closest to Netflix's target audience, will err on the side of inoffensive diversion. But in the case of this movie, it's probably wise to take no chances.
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