Jessabelle - A Movie Review

What do these old videotapes mean? Am I really in danger?

Jessabelle is a 2014 thriller. After an accident that leaves her recuperating in a wheelchair, Jessie returns home to her estranged dad. Having never known her mother, she discovers videotapes that hold dark secrets. She is also faced with a tormented spirit.

Coming across the trailer for the film I decided to give Jessabelle a watch. Jessabelle has an interesting and dark premise but chose to deliver a different story. Aside from flaws in the story, I will say that it does a great job depicting quadriplegic lifestyles.

Sarah Snook was excellent in her performance, getting into the character of Jessie both mentally and physically. Though Snook was convincing at selling the right emotion in frightening situations, we didn’t get to know Jessie enough.

What I admired most about Jessie is her strength. She has never had an easy life. But she does not let that get in the way. Refusing to let her new disability stop her, Jessie shows audiences that they can do anything they choose to.

I thought (and hoped) that Jessabelle would center around the distant relationship between Jessie and her dad (David Andrews). The first half of the film revolved around this. You can feel the hostility in their interactions. I was invested in this arc believing that they would patch things up.

The story takes a turn in its events. In the middle half of the film, we’re introduced to Preston (Mark Webber), someone who Jessie was previously in a relationship with. Although Preston is a kind and supportive friend who helps Jessie, his character felt misplaced entirely.

The film should have been about the estranged relationship between Sarah and her dad instead of patching up some kind of relationship that does not work out in the first place with Preston.

Other credits to include are Joelle Carter, Ana de la Reguera, Amber Stevens West, Chris Ellis, Brian Hallisey, and Vaughn Wilson. I am not sure if the sheriff (Ellis) was supposed to be the comic relief because that’s how he turned out to be with how often he had to go back and forth to Jessie’s house whenever there is a problem - which is a lot.

Jessabelle has a good story. Luckily it is not predictable. Some events in the story are a bit confusing specifically in the end. Despite the history being explained to viewers, I had to go back and watch some segments again in order to understand.

Location-wise the setting for Jessabelle is nice. Filming took place in Wilmington, North Carolina. Living by a lake is really nice. But it adds to the terror when you hear sticks snapping and the water rippling when you’re alone.

A creepy atmosphere was created, specifically for scenes that take place at night. With only a couple of well-timed jump scares, that’s not what Jessabelle relies on as its horror. The horror of Jessabelle revolves around not knowing certain family secrets.

Kevin Greutert could have focused more on the story to generate a better flow of narration. The best component in his direction is the positive message about people who are quadriplegic. The storyline is managed in a very positive light. People will have accidents. Choosing to think less of ourselves is not the root to go. There is still a way to live, move around, and even go on an adventure in a boat - just differently.

Admittedly, Jessabelle was a better film than I thought it would be. It is worth a watch. I recommend that you watch it but pay close attention.