Bedeviled

Directed by brothers Abel and Burlee Vang, this horror movie looks great and busts open a few old genre chestnuts, but it's also predictable, bland, and not all that scary. Bedeviled features some strong cinematography, with lots of looming corridors lit by eerie glows. And, refreshingly, it features an African-American male in the lead role, rather than as the stereotypical/clichéd first victim (the character himself remarks on this unique quality). The movie even gives the teens time to mourn their friend, a necessary emotional response that's often forgotten in horror.

Moreover, Bedeviled is a great title, and it's clear that the Vang brothers wanted to start a new supernatural serial killer franchise to complement Freddy and Jason. But that's about where the excitement stops. Their Mr. Bedevil, marked by his red bow tie and clown smile, is more annoying than scary. And though the movie is clearly aimed at teens -- there are very few helpful or available adults around -- the characters are awkwardly written and rarely sound like actual people. It's an admirable attempt to rise above the murk of the slasher genre, and it almost succeeds, but then it sinks down again.