Plot: Psychologist Peter Bower’s life is thrown into turmoil when he discovers a strange secret about his patients. Risking his own sanity, Peter delves into his past to uncover a terrifying secret which only he can put right.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Haunting Mystery Thriller
Story: Backtrack starts when we meet psychologist Peter Bower (Brody) who has thrown himself into his work while dealing with his own personal loss of his child. His mentor Duncan Stewart (Neill) is still trying to talk him through the loss, as he tries to help him accept it was just an accident.
When it becomes apparent that all of Peter’s patience are dead and all died on the same day. Peter must return home to uncover the reasons behind these hauntings to finally embrace the truth about his own loss to continue you but the truth is something he isn’t prepared for.
Backtrack plays into everything I like in horror mystery thrillers where we get to see one character haunted to uncover the truth. Yes this is easy to say doesn’t dive into the horror side of the story too easily but the story does focus on the personal tragedy Peter has been going through. We never really know the final outcome until we are told so the guessing game is all good for the audience to try but not succeed with. I will say the story is one of the good ones for the genre it is tackling though.
Actor Review
Adrien Brody: Peter Bower is the psychologist who is dealing with his own personal tragedy with his work. Peter learns the shocking truth that he has been treated dead patience who all died on the same day. Peter must face his own past to put these spirits to rest once and for all. Adrien is good in this leading role showing his constant regret filled expression throughout.
Sam Neill: Duncan Stewart is Peter’s mentor that is trying to help guide him in the right direction when it comes to solving his haunted past. He is the first one Peter turns to but is he everything he seems. Sam is good in what is only a supporting role really.
Robin McLeavy: Barbara Henning is the Constable in Peter’s home town, she hears Peter’s story even with her own personal connection to the tragic event. She works on her own case which digs up the truth. Robin is good in this role where we get to see her as a calm police officer doing the right thing the right way.
George Shevtsov: William Bower is the father of Peter and former police officer for the small town. He welcomes Peter back but when Peter puts the pieces together he may question his father’s integrity. George is good in this supporting role where we get to see both sides of the coin.
Support Cast: Backtrack has a supporting cast which is mostly just the ghosts haunting Peter and guiding him to the truth.
Director Review: Michael Petroni – Michael gives us a mystery horror that keeps us guessing to the final act.
Horror: Backtrack uses the ghosts to haunt Peter which is the use of horror in the story.
Mystery: Backtrack throws us into a mystery about why these ghosts are haunting Peter and what caused the previous tragedy.
Settings: Backtrack uses the settings to bring us to a small town with tragedy around it.
Special Effects: Backtrack has good effects to create the hauntings through the film without going over the top with any.
Suggestion: Backtrack is one I would be suggesting to all the fans of a good mystery film. (Mystery Fans Watch)
Best Part: Final twist.
Worst Part: The scares don’t come off scary just warning level.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too:
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: $8 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Overall: Impressive mystery horror that keeps us guessing.
Rating