SummaryMalevolence: Bereavement is the first chapter in the horrific ten year odyssey of Martin Bristol, a 6 year old child, abducted from his backyard swing, and forced to witness the brutal crimes of a deranged madman. If a child is taught only to hate, can their violent actions be considered evil? (Crimson Films)
Directed By:Stevan Mena
Written By:Stevan Mena
Bereavement
Metascore
Available after 4 critic reviews
tbd
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
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Top Cast
Metascore
Available after 4 critic reviews
tbd
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Mar 17, 2011
50
More stylishly filmed than many others of its ilk, but at the end of the day, is just an ordinary slasher film.
Mar 15, 2011
40
Bereavement-miraculously as dull as its title-is neither far gone enough to be funny nor well thought-out enough to be disturbing.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
67% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
25% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
8% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Feb 3, 2013
9
In 1989, a young boy is kidnapped by a local madman and raised to be a soulless killer. When Allison makes the mistake of trying to save him, she becomes trapped in the pair's murderous game! Director Stevan Mena returns with a bloody tale of nature versus nurture that takes us back to the slaughterhouse in BEREAVEMENT, the highly-anticipated prequel to 2004's hit MALEVOLENCE. Anyone who may have written MALEVOLENCE off as being cheap imitation will have much to consider now. Mena demonstrates all of the same skill and control as he had shown previously, but this time without the obvious references to HALLOWEEN or TEXAS CHAIN SAW that may have lessened the impact for some viewers. BEREAVEMENT is a much different film than before, focusing far more on the personalities of the characters and the psychosis of the killer. This, again, is no FRIDAY THE 13TH. The people presented on screen are smart, realistic, and rounded individuals. We care for them, and as a result, the tension and suspense soar because we do not want to see them get hurt. Their deaths have meaning. Mena has put together a much stronger cast, with exceptional performances by Michael Biehn, John Savage, and Alexandra Daddario. The biggest praise goes to Spencer List in the role of Martin, however, whose emotionless performance and unflinching expressions capture the essence of the character perfectly. List is never assumed to be evil, he is just blank. The success of BEREAVEMENT lies solely on the believability of this performance, and List excels in the role. With key cinematography by Marco Cappetta, another thrilling score, and a more intelligent script overall, BEREAVEMENT shows an advancement in style and form for the now-established director. The Masters of Horror will need to scoot over to make room for Stevan Mena at the dinner table. -Carl Manes I Like Horror Movies
Apr 22, 2017
8
It was a surprisingly good movie. The acting was good, the story was interesting, it was violent and the movie was very entertaining. It isn't the most original horror movie out there, but it's still worth watching.
Mar 15, 2011
40
Queens-born horror specialist Stevan Mena has mastered the slow camera creep and the unusually artful vista-he even composes his own orchestral scores, good ones. But he needs to give up screenwriting, pronto. Put down the laptop, Stevan.
Apr 1, 2013
6
it was a good movie to watch when there is nothing to do and you are bored, the acting was good and it had a good story and i enjoyed the acting. The movie is about a young boy who is abducted from his home and is made to witness a man kill people and the story goes on from that
Jun 21, 2013
5
The movie moved at a snails pace for almost it's entirety. The first 86 minutes felt like filler till the last 15 minutes. However, the last 15 minutes is the only saving grace of the movie and it was done quite well.
Feb 23, 2013
5
I was really looking forward to this prequel to 2004's Malevolent, but was sadly disappointed. The premise of the movie is great and right up my alley. A twisted gore fest about a serial killer who abducts a child, in the hope of making him his predecessor. Sounds good, but in actuality, it was very slow and extremely predictable. I kept hearing about how scary and messed up this film was, did they watch what I just watched? There are a few bright spots here, mainly the cast, which was terrific, and the end of the film, which while predictable, was still really cool to see. Spencer List stars as Martin, the serial killer in waiting. At the ripe old age of 13, this kid has become a B-Horror star! He's this cute, quiet, innocent looking kid, and before you know it he's killed you. He has this way about him, in these types of movies that make it seem real, and he is truly scary. The cast was great, the last twenty minutes was cool to watch, but really there's not much else here.
Apr 29, 2023
3
Has all the ingredients **** serial killer movie but ultimately let down by pace. Takes way too long to get to the point.
Production Company:
- Aurilia Arts Productions
- Crimson Films
- Mena Films
Release Date:Mar 18, 2011
Duration:2 h 23 m
Rating:R
Tagline:There are some evils...so unspeakable...they will scar you forever.
Website:
Awards
New York City Horror Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Long Island International Film Expo
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
