I hate watching movies on my computer. Obviously it’s a personal choice but I’d much rather see a movie on a bigger screen whether it’s a TV or a theater (And yes, I know I could do any number of things to project from my laptop to one of those devices). That said, I’ve bit the bullet regarding the 2023 Salem Horror Fest batch of films RNRF decided to review and found that especially regarding Horror flicks, there’s no place to hide when the screen is inches from your face. Which is kinda fun? Sure, I could switch to another tab or skip ahead but what’s the point of that when you choose to go Horror? That said, while our SHF picks this year have been stellar they’ve yet to be scary. Until Summoners.
Our second Witch-related feature in this round of Salem Horror Fest flicks we chose to cover (With still at least one more in the witchcraft realm to go from us), Summoners is a haunting, intimate tale about starting over set amongst the backdrop of small town life and the close-minded politics within that runs the gamut on themes of both redemption and forgiveness. So not your typical Witch story.
Jess (Christine Nyland) felt an urge to come back home to stay with her widowed father (Larry Fessenden) for a, ahem, spell unexpectedly from her life in Boston and that’s where we find her at the start of Summoners. There’s some lingering resentment towards her mother who passed after a long illness and some definite weirdness in relation to the neighbor’s daughter Nicole (Madeline Grey DeFreece) so the reasoning for Jess’ return is relatively unclear.
Enter Alana (McLean Peterson), the former best friend who never left who’s a practicing witch (Gasp!) and compelled Jess to come back to town with magic! Jess is also a witch (Double gasp!). Only Jess no longer practices (Triple Gasp???) but that tidbit doesn’t stop Alana from asking her to help conjure up some powerful Blood Magic to help a friend in need. Seems Alana’s friend has been blamed for the accidental death of a child in her care and while she was proven innocent of any wrongdoing, the whole town has practically ostracized her. To combat the woman’s overwhelming guilt, Alana wants to perform a “Striving spell” and conjure a a type of spirit called a sin-eater who will take all that pain away so she can at least live with herself. Jess agrees to help, something goes wrong, unknown truths and hidden motives are revealed leading to a spectacularly intense final 20 minutes (I may have switched tabs momentarily).
Directed by Terence Krey (Who co-wrote the script along with Nyland), Summoners is an enchanting entry in the Witchcraft/Folk Horror genre that unfolds like a stage play almost with brilliant performances by both Nyland (Steady and determined dealing with unresolved grief despite the Supernatural elements) and Peterson (Trust us, a powerfully emotional scene late into the film with Alana and a cake is *chef’s kiss*) with Shaun Hettinger’s score invoking a whimsical yet witchy feel throughout with the use of strings, xylophones, and ethereal voices.
Summoners recently screened at the Salem Horror Fest and, while SHF might be over, the flick is doing the rounds on the festival circuit still. For a chance to see it for yourself, or to find out when you can check it out at home, follow Summoners via director Krey’s socials here and here.