Beyond the Shadows (2020) by David Gustafson

Director: David Gustafson

Year: 2020

Country: USA

Alternate Titles: N/A

Genre: Ghosts; Horror/Comedy

Plot:

Trying to expand their brand, a team of fraudulent ghost hunters decides to invite a group of believers and skeptics with them on a shoot for their next show at a haunted motel, but when they discover that the area is indeed haunted and not their usual tricks they try to get out alive.

Review:

This was an enjoyable if somewhat flawed genre effort. Among the film’s brighter elements is the engaging setup that gives this one some fun as we follow the crew. The idea of the group’s lighthearted approach to their work which is given in the first minutes here so that we’re quite aware of their fraudulent nature is a fantastic start to everything while also keeping the atmosphere entertaining enough. The first half, where everyone arrives at the motel to start their search carries on in a fine assortment of light-hearted moments and introductions to everyone joining them on the investigation generating all the minor squabbles and side-stories that will run through the rest of the film.

That early setup manages to work to the best point here with the multiple groups exploring the haunted locale. With the team showcasing their tricks to the fullest with the off-screen noises in the distance laughing or growling at them, the fake EVP sessions calling out to the spirits present which turn into encounters and somewhat frenetic run-ins with the ghosts which are then piled into a crazy finale where the ghosts are suddenly placed in grander importance by launching a series of short-burst attacks which is a lot of fun. Coupled with a few enjoyable gags that are somewhat funny and there are some likable elements in the film.

 There are a few problems with this one. The main issue is the film’s lighthearted tone that doesn’t provide any kind of comedic value at all to what’s going on. The attempts at jokes are often cringe-worthy with the cartoonish, exaggerated personalities and actions told in conflicting nature to the more serious situation this one is presenting which leads this one to feel as though a straightforward serious effort would’ve been a more fruitful endeavor. That also backfires considerably once the genre exploits are introduced here with the jokey nature making it seem like what’s happening is all part of the joke to begin with, ruining some of the impact.

The film’s other issue is the bland and ineffectual pacing that doesn’t generate much interest in what’s going on when they’re not dealing with the investigation. Not only is the comedy the main factor of this one problem, but also the amount of stalling and padding that goes on here. From extended introductions to everyone involved in the investigation to having way too many individuals featured for the whole endeavor making it easy to lose track of them all when they’re just standing around engaging in their own petty storylines, there’s far too much time taken up before it gets to the good points, which even then are filled with unimpressive elements or failed jokes which hold the pacing up. These here are the main drawbacks to this one.

Overview: **.5/5

Wholly enjoyable for the most part and featuring some enjoyable qualities, there’s enough here to like and hold this one up despite some negative aspects that crop up from time-to-time. Give it a look if you’re intrigued by the premise or a huge fanatic of reality-show-ghost-hunting efforts, while those who aren’t fans of that style or turned off by the flaws should heed caution.