JeruZalem finally gets its UK DVD release today and I am one of the lucky reviewers who got an advanced copy. Since this title is so new and hopefully going to impact the UK horror scene in a big way this week, I’m going to get the ball rolling and state right off the bat that JeruZalem is a wicked good film on all accounts. It’s basically what The Remaining was trying to do in 2014 but way better, and it’s what Hardcore Henry is about to do for found footage experiences next week. In a nut shell, you need to rent or purchase this film, but for now – read my favorable review below for some inside scoop!
JeruZalem is written, directed and produced by The Paz Brothers, Doron and Yoav. Cast members include Yael Grobglas (“Jane the Virgin,” “Reign”), Yon Tumarkin (“The Island”), Danielle Jadelyn (“Skins”), Tom Graziani (“Tyrant”), Howard Rypp, Yoav Koresh, Ori Zaltzman, Fares Hananya and Itsko Yampulski.
Synopsis: “Two American girls on vacation follow a mysterious anthropology student on a trip to Jerusalem. The party is cut short when the trio are caught in the middle of a biblical apocalypse. Trapped between the ancient walls of the holy city, the three travelers must survive long enough to find a way out as the fury of Hell is unleashed upon them.” – Maven Publicity
From the very beginning JeruZalem hits you in the stomach with an extremely creepy and realistic opening sequence showcasing some sort of demonic possession which turns into demonic resurrection. The way in which it was filmed is so vivid and organic, that I felt like I could smell what the inside of the holy temple smelled like. I mean, that is an incredible nod to the production team for crafting a scene that can evoke the senses in such a palpable way. I knew from that moment that JeruZalem was going to be a title worth my time, and anyone who knows me will tell you that I am very difficult critic to please when it comes to found footage features. This had, so far, blew away all of my expectations.
With the tone set and an imminent sense of danger lurking in the distance, we get to meet all of main characters and some of the supporting cast. I felt a sense of realism with them, too, much in the same way we were introduced to the characters in 2012’s Chernobyl Diaries. The characters in JeruZalem aren’t horror film cliches or stereotypes, they are written like believable people and the talented cast backing them only heightened that sense of, “Gee, I know I’m about to feel very bad for them…” For the next forty minutes we see them on a guided tour of Jerusalem and, as a viewer, we’re treated to a lot of breathtaking monuments and buildings. To say that JeruZalem has some of the best scenery and sets used in a found footage film would be an understatement. With incredible cinematography, a high quality camera, the right places to visit and an ultra-capable cast, JeruZalem was definitely worthy of at least a limited release to theaters. I wish it could have gone there.
With all of the character and plot developments out of the way, we finally get down to the nitty-gritty when the shit starts to hit the fan. It all starts with a boom and an alert siren blaring in the distance… and from there the rest of the film is a cluster of characters getting chased, scared and picked off one by one. What’s cool about JeruZalem is that it doesn’t need to use jump scares to frighten you, though it does have a few. Instead, it relies heavily on the backstory that was written into every aspect of every scene and you’re left with a choking amount of suspense. The horror, mostly, comes in the form of demonic attacks that happen at random and that’s when you’re treated to awesome gore and torture. There’s a grand mixture of practical special effects and visual effects, and sometimes both are so professionally done that you don’t know which foundation of effect you’re looking at. Major props to the FX departments.
I can see already that some reviews have been unfair to this title. Don’t believe the hype. Check out all the trailers, stills and exclusive clips around the web and decide for yourself. At the very least, JeruZalem is deserving of a stream or VOD rental, where it is already available. I, however, got to see the movie for free and I’m compelled to purchase a DVD copy because it has tremendous rewatchability. That is worth the price of a DVD in itself. Final Score: 8 out of 10.
