Dead Souls (2012 film)

Last updated
Dead Souls
Directed byColin Theys
Screenplay byJohn Doolan
Based onDead Souls
by Michael Laimo
Edited byAdrian Correia
Music byJonathan Bartz
Matthew Llewellyn
Distributed byChiller
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Dead Souls is a 2012 film directed by Colin Theys, based on the novel of the same name by Michael Laimo.

Contents

Synopsis

On his 18th birthday Johnny is surprised to discover that he was adopted, and that he has inherited his birth family's farm in Maine. He decides to accept this inheritance and travels to the farm, where he finds that the house has been abandoned and that a squatter named Emma has been living there. Johnny also learns that his entire birth family was killed in the house and that it contains secrets that put his very life in danger.

Cast

Production

Michael Laimo first published his book Dead Souls in 2007 through Leisure Books. [1] The novel was optioned for film and John Doolan was brought on to adapt the novel into a screenplay. Colin Theys was confirmed as director and actors Jesse James, Bill Moseley, and Magda Apanowicz were named as its stars. Filming took place in Canterbury, Connecticut during April 2012. [2] To prepare for his role Moseley read both the script and Laimo's novel, which he enjoyed. [3] Brian Spears handled the film's special effects; he stated that his main priority for the film were the movie's ghosts, which were "the reason I took the job". [4]

Release

Dead Souls premiered on Chiller on October 12, 2012, [5] followed by a release on home video through Scream Factory on June 25, 2013. [6]

Reception

Critical reception for the film was predominantly negative. [7] Common criticism for Dead Souls focused on the characters and script. [8] HorrorNews.net panned the film, writing that it was "one of the more inept ghost stories to come along in quite a spell, compliments of Chiller TV.  At least SyFy knows how to polish a turd." [9] Common praise centered on Moseley. [10] [11]

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References

  1. Butane, Johnny (2007-02-16). "Dead Souls (Book)". Dread Central. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  2. "'Dead Souls' starts shooting in Conn". UPI. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  3. Barton, Steve (2012-10-11). "Bill Moseley Discusses Chiller Channel's Dead Souls, Airing Friday, October 12". Dread Central. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  4. Barton, Steve (2012-06-05). "Dread Central Visits the Set of Chiller's Dead Souls". Dread Central. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  5. West, Kelly (2012-10-12). "Creepy TV Movie Dead Souls To Air On Chiller Tonight". CINEMABLEND. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  6. Barton, Steve (2013-03-06). "More Shrieks Coming from The Scream Factory - Dead Souls, The Howling and Ninja III: The Domination". Dread Central. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  7. Vasquez, Felix (June 25, 2013). "Dead Souls (Blu-Ray) (2012)". Cinema Crazed. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  8. "DVD Review: DEAD SOULS". STARBURST Magazine. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  9. "Film Review: Dead Souls (2012)". Horror News | HNN. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  10. Frazier, Adam (2013-07-03). "Blu-ray Review: Dead Souls". Geeks of Doom. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  11. Tyner, Adam (June 15, 2013). "Dead Souls (review)". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2022-09-01.