**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“A Hisji is a vengeful thing. Five times its name you never sing. With skin pale white and eyes of green. It’s something you’ve already seen…”

Head Count premiered on Shudder in February 2021, but the film was originally released back in 2018. The film stars Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, and Cooper Rowe. It is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

After visiting his brother out in Joshua Tree, California, Evan meets a group of friends who invite him over for some seemingly harmless fun, but all goes horribly wrong when they begin telling ghost stories around the fire and one becomes a disturbing reality, as they summon a paranormal presence unknowingly.

Here is the trailer:

Head Count leaves the jump scares behind and focuses more on a slow burn terror that latches on to you with intensity, but does its ambiguity get in the way? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unsettling terror.

I think that this film really delivered with its slow burn approach. The pacing still worked and I was invested in what was going on the entire time. I thought that the fear really built up well and maintained suspense without revealing too much too soon.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unique mystery.

I’ve seen plenty of films that involve a group of teens summoning an evil spirit by accident, but this film kept me guessing. I enjoyed the focus on numbers and the clues were well placed and chilling on their own.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Forgettable characters.

There were a few glimmers here and there, but the majority of the characters were just kind of there for the ride. I didn’t really care about what happened to them and I wanted to feel connected to at least a few of them.

I thought that Camille and Evan were the best out of the bunch, but I just wanted some more layers presented to us.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

I thought that this movie really stood out and it kept me invested the entire time. The fear felt very real and unsettling. I thought that the ending was satisfying and even though it was left kind of ambiguous, that worked for me. Not everything was explained and I still have a lot of questions, but that means this film effectively created a conversation worth having.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Head Count in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

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