The Story

“Come Back to Me” is a low-budget horror film featuring a unique and disturbing story with a surprising ending. The plot revolves around protagonists Sarah and Josh, a married couple residing in a typical suburban neighborhood. Following a car accident, Sarah experiences blackouts and awakens with blood on her body, with no recollection of the events. As her life unravels, she installs a camera in her home, which reveals a horrific secret with extensive repercussions.

The Review (Spoiler Free)

“Come Back to Me,” directed by Paul Leyden, is a psychological horror film that delves into the unsettling realm of night terrors and unexplained phenomena. The movie, based on the novel “The Resurrectionist” by Wrath James White, follows the story of Sarah and Josh, a married couple whose lives spiral into a nightmarish reality when a new neighbor moves in across the street.

The film opens with a harrowing scene that sets the tone for the rest of the narrative. It’s a bold move that could easily pigeonhole the movie into the “been there, seen that” category of horror films. However, Leyden skillfully steers the story into a crescendo of suspense and mystery, culminating in a well-executed and clever conclusion.

Katie Walder delivers a compelling performance as Sarah, whose character grapples with increasingly disturbing night terrors. Matt Passmore’s portrayal of Josh provides a solid anchor to Sarah’s spiraling sense of reality. Nathan Keyes is particularly noteworthy as the enigmatic neighbor, whose presence and actions drive the central mystery of the plot.

The film’s atmosphere is laden with a chilling tension that keeps viewers on edge. While it does not rely on jump scares to frighten its audience, the overall mood and pacing create an eerie experience that lingers. The production value is commendable for a direct-to-DVD release, and the cinematography by Joseph White adds a layer of visual unease that complements the story’s dark themes.

Critics have had mixed reactions to “Come Back to Me.” Some praise its originality and clever plot twists, while others criticize the direction and acting as falling into the realm of TV-standard scares. The film holds a 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 3.4/10, and a score of 31/100 on Metacritic. Despite this, user reviews on IMDb suggest that the film has found an audience that appreciates its unique approach to horror and storytelling.

Ending Explained (Spoiler Warning!)

“Come Back to Me” starts off as a typical creepy serial killer horror. Initially, we all suspect Dale is somehow involved in Sarah’s nightmares. It’s not particularly surprising, but the specifics of how and why remain unclear.

The film soon transitions from a standard serial killer narrative to a supernatural horror. Dale’s character is revealed to have been born with a unique gift: the ability to resurrect the dead with his breath. However, this gift becomes a curse for those around him as he begins to exploit it. With this power, he finds a perverse joy in murdering people without facing any repercussions.

The abuse of his gift began when Dale’s abusive father killed his mother. It was then that Dale discovered his ability to revive the dead, inadvertently bringing his mother back to life. However, she was changed, becoming a witness to her son’s horrific misuse of his power, as he killed girls and resurrected them. This became his twisted routine. His mother attempted to stop him, but she was powerless against the gift that continued to embolden him.

Sarah decides to uncover the truth by installing a hidden camera in her bedroom. She discovers that Dale has been raping and killing her every night, only to bring her back to life. Resolved to end the nightmare, she plots to kill him.

The film’s final twist is equally shocking. When Sarah finally kills Dale, everyone he had ever murdered and revived dies instantly, including herself. It turns out that his ability to resurrect was only effective as long as he was alive; their lives were merely temporary extensions of his own.

In the Nutshell

“Come Back to Me” is a film that may polarize viewers. For those willing to embrace its psychological twists and turns, it offers a refreshingly different take on the horror genre. It’s a movie that demands attention and patience, rewarding viewers with a thought-provoking and haunting experience. Whether you’re a fan of psychological horror or just looking for something out of the ordinary, “Come Back to Me” is worth the watch. [5 out of 5 stars]

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Genre: Serial Killer

You can watch on: 

• DVD/Blueray

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