The Return (2006)

A Thoughtful Horror Story

Having seen this movie twice on HBO, I think I can make a fair assessment on it.
This is not a typical horror movie. It is a drama with supernatural elements. And as such, it succeeds admirably.
Think of it as going out on a dark night alone then hearing, in the distance, a long mournful wail. It frightens but at the same time, one detects great sadness in the sound.
I'll leave it to others to describe the plot. I will add that Sarah Michelle Gellar delivers a powerful performance. It is miles far away from the perkiness of Buffy. September 6, 2008

No tears.

Let's say in a few words. I feel sorry for Andrei, a boy who played (Vladimir Garin) , died in a few days after the movie was ready. He died in the lake, not far from the one where the movie was shot. That happened on 25th of June 2003. That's just so devastating. He was an incredible actor.
Rest in peace
BTW the whole movie is just incredible.
Great work Russia!
Bravo
My advice for you is to buy this dvd. September 6, 2008

Return it to the video store and demand a refund.

I love Gellar don't get me wrong, she's just not the most convincing actress out there.
The return starts off good and has a haunting musical score.
That's where the compliments end.
The story is the usual generic nonsense.
Boring, dull, uninspired, and unmemorable.
There are a couple of jumpy moments.
But for the most part I found myself dozing off during most of the movie.
Pass.
June 25, 2008

Supernatural Thriller

Sarah Michelle Gellar plays Joanna Mills who is a traveling sales rep, a job she choose because it keeps her always on the move. We are introduced to her troubled childhood where she was involved in traffic accident. We do not know if the trauma to her head has given her visions of a man who is constantly stalking her that no one else sees. And when he appears, she actually hurts herself. But then, except for the damage she has done to herself, all is back to normal.

We flash forward to her adult life and getting reading to head home on business. But her true motive is to try and get some answers to her disturbing visions or memories. And as she enters her home area she starts to experience these episodes in increase frequency. The more visions or memories we see the closer we start to understand what is transpiring. And make no mistake; this is a mystery that you can try to solve before the answer is shown to you at the climax of the film.

I was pleased to see a true suspense movie that has an eerie feeling that makes you feel uneasy with no blood and gore that is so popular today. The use of shadows to enhance the suspense is reminiscent from the Alfred Hitchcock's methods. As another reviewer mentioned, Sarah Michelle Gellar carries the movie well. Her blind stare and almost zombie like presence captures the characters feelings and emotions beautifully." This is what we use to call a horror film. This is worth watching.
May 21, 2008

atmospheric chiller

In my opinion "The Return" really is a fine movie. The marketing just didn't get it right. So, agreed, it's not a "shocking, non-stop (supernatural) thriller unlike anything you've ever experienced before". It won't give you nightmares. And it doesn't come with a spectacular ending either.
The qualities of "The Return" are much more subtle. First of all the movie is beautifully filmed, mysterious and rather aloof. Sarah Michelle Gellar does a fine job playing Joanna, a young woman haunted by increasingly disturbing visions of a murder in the past. The rest of the cast is great as well and the movie is nicely paced with enough chills and thrills. The story proves to be well thought-out and in the end everything falls neatly into place.
Although I expected something else, I found "The Return" to be a very satisfying movie watching experience. March 8, 2008

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