It is quite fitting that this film replicates Sleeping Beauty's curse... it will possibly send you to sleep. The film isn't helped by a one note performance from Ethan Peck; he may look like a Prince Charming but he doesn't have the acting ability of his famous grandfather, Gregory Peck.
I enjoyed the elegant and nightmarish imagery, but the script and acting bring this film down to generic horror movie level.
Another movie that missed it's potential.
What could have been an innovative (ish) approach to Sleeping Beauty was plagued with mediocre acting, a dodgy storyline, major plot holes.
And in my view, it is almost an insult to end a movie like this on a cliff hanger...
Review by Juveria GhareBlockedParentSpoilers2016-05-29T21:08:25Z
This is important!
Worth 1 star!
Gregory Peck's grandson? and the guy doesn't get a decent role? SHOCKING!
The story follows the typical sleeping beauty fairy tale or if you've read the the more appropriate story of Briar Rose. The story is adapted from it and follows a darker path (not that dark really). The story has so many loopholes it doesn't make sense and the writer doesn't try to make sense of it either. It's confusing as hell. First, Thomas has been suffering from these dreams/nightmares for 3 years, and his uncle dies conveniently afterwards so that he could inherit Caiser Garden, the haunted house?
Second, the bloodline is the key to this story? How so? Also, Thomas doesn't have any children, and I'm pretty sure that he's an only child, so how will his bloodline survive?
Which takes us to the third point, Thomas is so eager to wake up Briar Rose that he doesn't wait around for Daniel to decipher the whole text. Then why'd he take out it of the mansion anyways? He read the most convenient part and ran like a knight to save the damsel in distress. Only to find out that the demon Ibis (or something) is watching over Briar Rose so it doesn't bring about the apocalypse. To which Thomas does like an idiot as he gives her a bloody kiss and wakes her up.
OH GOSH, now the black - eyed demon from Supernatural is free and roaming the world. Where is Sam and Dean when you need them? BOYS you need to get your pretty asses to Caiser Garden cause I'm pretty sure that Thomas woke up the black-eyed demon from hell for you to knife.
As a fan of retelling of old fairy tales, this one failed miserably. It would have been worth it to watch gorgeous Ethan Peck grow into his character. His character was so 2D, with no depth and practically no lines.
Warning: Watch at your own risk!