Summoning the Spirit (2023) Movie Review

Summoning the Spirit – Movie Review

Director: Jon Garcia

Writer: Zach Carter, Jon Garcia (Screenplay)

Cast

Krystal Millie Valdes (Amigo)
Ernesto Reyes (American Gods)
Jesse Tayeh (The Wrong Path)
Isabelle Muthiah
Robin Magdhalen (Devil’s Lake)

Plot: Carla and Dean as they decide to escape the hustle of the big city, purchasing a home in the remote forest. They have big plans for their new quiet life, only to find something much more sinister.

Runtime: 1 Hour 38 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Summoning the Spirit starts when Carla (Valdes) and Dean (Reyes) move out of the big city into a remote forest home. They get to meet their neighbours Arlo (Tayeh) and Celeste (Muthiah) as Dean reluctantly agrees to join visit them.

As they get to know the neighbours and the mountain people that live out in the forest, they find their lives changing. However, it is learning what they really get up to in the forest that brings a new level of fear to Carla and Dean.

Verdict on Summoning the Spirit

Summoning the Spirit is a horror movie following a couple trying to get restart their life after a tragedy at home. They move to a remote location in the forest away from the big city. However, they learn that their neighbours have their own way of operating in the forest.

This takes us into a blend of Midsommar and a Bigfoot movie. It looks to bring a cult-like mentality to America along with one of the biggest legends of the forest. The story builds up nicely showing the welcoming nature of everyone involved, before going down the darker path. It does hold back a lot of the horror, however, it does get a nice reward for the patience. There is plenty of unease created throughout the movie leading to the biggest reveal of the movie.

Final Thoughts – Summoning the Spirit creates an uneasy atmosphere from start to finish.