Title: Solstice
Cast: Elisabeth Harnois, Sahwn Ashmore, Tyler Hoechlin, Amanda Seyfried, Matt O’Leary, Hilarie Burton, R. Lee Ermey, Jenna Hildebrand
Director: Daniel Myrick
Producers: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Screenwriters: Daniel Myrick, Marty Musatov, Ethan Erwin
Music: Jane Antonia Cornish, John Houlin
Editor: Mathilde Bonnefoy
Genre: Thriller/ Drama
Running Time: 87 min.
Cinematography: M. David Mullen Distributor: Viva Production
Technical Assessment: * * *
Moral Assessment: ● ● ●
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
The suicide of her twin sister, Sofie, haunts Megan(Elisabeth Harnois) who feels guilty that she had not
detected warning signs and even reprimanded the former
for her strange behavior. To pack the things of her
sister in their summer house in Louisiana, she decides
to push through the annual visit there together with
her friends, Christian (Shawn Ashmore), Zoe (Amanda
Seyfried), Mark (Matt O’Leary) and Alicia (Hilarie
Burton). They meet and befriend Nick (Tyler
Hoechlin) the young storekeeper and anthropology
student who teaches them how to communicate with the
dead and that the best time to do this is in a
solstice when the sun is at its highest, a time when
our world and the other world is allegedly closest..
They also encounter an eccentric, old neighbor Leonard
(R. Lee Ermey) whose granddaughter who used to stay
with him disappeared mysteriously. When Megan
experiences weird incidents in the summer home, she
feels that Sofie is trying to send her a message. Her
determination to unlock the mystery of her sister’s
death will lead to shocking secrets that will finally
come to light in a solstice moment.
Louisiana’s lake and marshy inlets, particularly at
night, lend a spooky setting to the story. The music
and the sound department creditably create and
heighten suspense. The summer outing of the group
lasts only for three days but flashbacks enable the
viewers to know past events and their bearing to some
characters. The film is more textured than a Nancy
Drew mystery since it introduces the presence of a
spirit, communication with the spirit world, and has a
surprise ending. The female lead, Megan, is portrayed
as incredibly brave and daring who can intrude into a
weird neighbor’s house and miraculously escape. The
film adopts overused images and sounds intended to
horrify, like the imprint of a bloody hand on the
window, blood flowing from the faucet, slamming of a
door, a trail of blood on the floor and strange
voices.
Although casual sex, dialogues and sexual
innuendos in the film may be acceptable to the western
culture, it is not the exposure we would like for
our young people. While praying for our departed ones
is encouraged, calling on the spirits as a game or an
experiment could be a dangerous exercise. But there
are many lessons that one could learn from Solstice.
It warns those who are easily distracted, like those
who use their cell phones while driving, or those who
drive under the influence of alcohol, how these
indulgences can lead to serious accidents. It also
reminds us to be more caring and supportive of family
members who need our attention and help. We should
acknowledge our failures or mistakes and be
responsible for the consequences of our actions.
There are no secrets that remain hidden forever.
Unless confessed and atoned for, feelings of guilt for
a wrong done could harm persons psychologically and
lead to their destruction. We need good friends to
make us whole and bring us closer to the truth.
