Whistle

"Whistle" is a fun brutal teenage horror flick, delivering a nostalgic feel with modern sensibilities. Director Corin Hardy spins his gothic web of influences into a slightly more young adult realm with brilliant performances by Dafne Keen, Sophie Nélisse and the supporting cast.

The Whistle (15) is a teen horror. The trailer said it was from the people who bought you The Monkey so you know a little of what to expect. After the scene setting opening with basketball star Mason, we move on to the main protagonist, Chrysanthemum "Chrys" (Dafne Keen) an older teen who has relocated to live with her cousin Rel (Sky Yang). Her first day at high school doesn't go so well and she, Rel, his friend Ellie (Sophie Nélisse), Grace (Ali Skovbye), his crush and her boyfriend Dean (Jhaleil Swaby) end up in detention with teacher Mr Craven (Nick Frost). Something falls out of Chrys' bag that attracts his interest and sets this ersatz Breakfast Club on a road that should not have been taken. From hereon in things start to happen and not in a good way. Can these teens find a way to prevent the supernatural intervening in their young lives, potentially forever? Mason's mother (Michelle Fairley) collector of memento mori may have some clues that will help them. If you liked The Monkey you will probably enjoy this. Although not as intense and complicated, it has some genuinely scary moments. There is a love story thrown in which become integral to the plot. The film is too linear to really shock you and part way through I gained an inkling into how it was likely to end, so perhaps a little too formulaic, with not enough twists, though plenty of jump moments and gore. A good performance from the cast and overall you are concerned about their fate and do root for them, well, some of them. Not as good as The Monkey but still worth seeing if you like this type of horror.