By Juan Markos
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/23/24 – Last Thursday, September 19th, the elegant Crescent Theater in Beverly Hills played host to an exciting screening of the much-anticipated film The pATH. This chilling tale set in a small farming town in central New Jersey promises to leave viewers both thrilled and unsettled.
The film stars a talented cast, including Tess Hanna (known for Stuff from the 90’s, The Sighting, and Highway to Havasu), Taylor Colwell (Gotham, Only Murders In The Building, The Sinner), Brian McManamon (Gotham, Succession, American Horror Story, FBI, The Subject), Alex McNicoll (Brilliant Minds, The Society, Transparent), and the film’s writer and actor, Tom Archdeacon, who takes on a featured role.
Set against the backdrop of vacant farmland, The pATH delves into the eerie aspects of small-town life, amplifying the creepiness of an already unsettling landscape. The narrative follows a young woman who returns home to care for her teenage sister after their parents’ tragic death. What starts as a story of familial duty quickly spirals into a chilling exploration of paranormal hauntings and psychological tension.
In this tight-knit community, where everyone knows each other, the local sheriff takes a surprisingly hands-on approach to the strange occurrences plaguing the sisters. Initially, the audience is led to believe that the source of the eerie happenings might be some form of supernatural presence or stalkers—perhaps even high school pranksters. The film cleverly misdirects viewers, making the suspicious teacher seem like the prime suspect, only to reveal him as just an overly concerned educator.
As the plot thickens, the tension escalates, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The young woman contemplates selling the family farm, leading to a realtor’s hasty exit, which places the blame on a purported satanic cult. The sisters soon uncover the dark, occult past of their hometown, unraveling a web of terrifying and inexplicable events that culminate in a shocking finale.
The film expertly combines jump scares with moments of levity, evoking the spirit of classic horror films from the ’80s and ’90s. The nostalgia and thrill make The pATH an exhilarating ride that’s not to be missed.
After the screening, I had the opportunity to chat with Tom Archdeacon, who artfully dodged my attempts for spoilers, mirroring the film’s own twists and turns. His playful misdirection only heightened my anticipation for the film’s official release.
The pATH premieres on September 24th and will be available on major TVOD platforms such as VUDU, Amazon, Apple TV, and iTunes, as well as on most major cable and satellite on-demand platforms in the U.S. and Canada, including Dish, DirecTV, Spectrum, Xfinity, Sling TV, Verizon Fios, and Altice USA.
For a glimpse of what’s in store, check out the official trailer here. Don’t miss out on this captivating horror experience!
