There's Something Following Me

Director(s) - Robert Wray and Sean Schwaller
Starring - Amanda Wells & Bonnie Johnson
Release Date - 2013
Genre - Horror/Childrens
Tagline - "Cody thought she would be alone Halloween.  She was dead wrong..."
Format - VHS (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      One has to really admire the innocence of films intended for children. I think that is one of the charms of watching horror films intended for children.  These films are able to scare, or spook, children without the use of blood and gore.  I guess you can say that these films are more wholesome in a genre known to be sleazy.  Whenever I get a chance to see a horror or Halloween film intended for children I jump on it.  Recently, the fine folks over at Briarwood Entertainment sent me a copy of their newest flick There's Something Following Me on VHS.  I had no idea what the movie was about but I threw it in with excitement. 
     The film follows a young girl named Cody.  It is Halloween and instead of being with her family she is avoiding them by hiding out in her classroom.  However, her rather rude teacher forces her to leave and go home.  Upset, Cody leaves school and avoids using the more direct path home opting for the long way.  On her way she stops at the home of an older women that seems odd to the little girl.  The older lady tries to warn her not to go home but the little girl does not heed her warning and goes home anyway.  That night while the girl is home alone someone knocks at the door.  When she answers it she is greeted by a strange looking man wearing a big hat.  Being the smart child she is she tells the man her parents are home and shuts the door in his face.  Things turn dark and bleak for Cody when something starts lurking in her home forcing her to fight for her life.
     When you watch a horror film intended for kids you know you will not be seeing any nudity, blood, and gore along with no foul language. However, you always get a great sense of atmosphere and suspense.  If you can watch a film intended for children and catch yourself holding your breathe then you know the filmmakers did it right.  There's Something Following Me is a film I really wish I could have seen if I was younger (before the asshole teenage years).  In fact, when my daughter is old enough I will be showing her this one along with some other films that ushered my way into horror like Ernest Scared Stupid, The Worst Witch, and Mr. Boogedy.  The acting in this film is perfect and over the top creating the perfect atmosphere for a children's film.  The film was perfectly cast and each actor made their role their own.  The story is actually very simple and basic while making the film feel very clever and fun.  The film works as one intended for kids but as a straight forward horror film it would fall short.  That is clever film making.  Finally, those looking for on screen deaths and special effects will not find them here.  Instead, the film offers some great claustrophobic atmosphere and a fun story.  Overall, this is a great film for the whole family or the young at heart.  After seeing this film once I am sure it will become a part of your Halloween movie marathon.  I highly recommend it.