Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: Entertainment

These days what constitutes a horror film is very subjective. What was once a genre of suspense, intrigue and mystifying plots has become a formulaic monster of over-the-top movies where beautiful people with no brains get killed or eerie dolls come to life.

Luckily, "The Reaping" sets itself apart from contemporary horror films and proves to be a worthy spook.

Katherine Winter (Hilary Swank) is a former missionary who lost faith after an incident in Sudan.

As an investigator she travels around the world attempting to disprove religious phenomena using scientific explanations.

In her latest inquest she is called to clarify how and why the quaint Louisiana town of Haven seems to be experiencing the 10 biblical plagues from the Old Testament.

According to the robust and opinionated Mayor Brooks, it's because of Loren McConnell (AnnaSophia Robb), a frail blond girl who lives in a secluded shack deep inside the swamp.

She was the only witness to her brother's death. After he died his lifeless body was discovered floating in the bloody river, which starts the first of the 10 plagues.

The film surrounds the manifestation of each plague and the overwhelming attempt from Winter to make sense of them while protecting McConnell from the townspeople who want to kill her to put an end to the plagues. Two-time Oscar winner Swank is apt at playing the distressed Winter and Robb's catlike eyes and cold stare bring chills every time she appears in the movie.

"The Reaping" starts off very strong, but its unraveling story line is exaggerated and ridiculous. However, the film is very entertaining and does supply quite a few jump-out-of-the-seat moments.

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