Reviewed by Kevin Scott
MoreHorror.com
Mercy (2014)
Written by: Matt Greenberg, Stephen King (Short Story)
Directed by: Peter Cornwell
Cast: Chandler Riggs (George), Dylan McDermott (Jim Swann), Mark Duplass (Uncle Lanning), Francess O’Connor (Rebecca), Joel Courtney (Buddy), Hana Hayes (Girl Next Door), Amanda Walsh (Charlotte), Chris Browning (Frank), Shirley Knight (Mercy)
If you notice from the credits, “Mercy” is a feature length film that is based on a short story from the modern day master of horror himself, Stephen King. In my humble opinion, I don’t think that Stephen King is one of those guys who you either love or hate. Regardless, of whether you judge him exclusively within the horror genre or when films based on his work crossed out of horror, such as “The Green Mile”. There is something from Stephen King for everyone, and at least one of the many things he wrote that resonates passionately to every member of every walk of life either on the page, or on the screen. It may sound like I’m a King super fan. I definitely like him. I don’t like most of his TV miniseries, but I dig most of his film adaptations on different levels. I’m even talking about Maximum Overdrive that shines as a 1970’s B car horror movie that somehow got stuck in the 1980’s.
“Mercy” is a bit of a different King adaptation. I have a soft spot for tales of the line between good and evil being crossed in places like Appalachia. Rural, God fearing people who can quote Scripture, but somehow dip their toe into a swirling sinister pool of iniquity with the sins revisiting them or their posterity. This is also a coming of age drama with a very recognizable face in the lead role. Chandler Riggs is George. He’s a good kid with a good heart, but he’s trying to find his place, and has the usual problems, like getting bullied. His mom is a single mother, and it’s just him, her and his older brother. He finds a kindred spirit in his maternal grandmother. She’s a tough old bird that lost her husband early and raised three kids by herself. When she falls ill, his family moves in with her to care for her. It’s a homecoming for his mother, as she is still wooed by an old flame played by Dylan McDermott. He’s married, but stays on the safe side of some pretty heavy flirting. It’s obvious that he still carries a torch for her. George’s mom’s sister is institutionalized, and her ne’er do well brother is a wild card of fluctuating reliability. He is good for some information about Mercy. She did not want her children to leave her, even when they reached adulthood. Strange occurrences would randomly occur to keep them there. Only George’s Mom left for a stint in the Army. As Mercy gets sicker, she falls into a catatonic state, and almost seems to be possessed by something.
When she was young, Mercy was a devout woman who prayed for children, but was told she had to accept the fact that she would never have them. Miraculously, she did have children, and while her wish was granted, something slowly poisoned the family. Her husband committed suicide in what has to be the most challenging way that you could possibly do it, a self-inflicted axe wound to the head. There seems to be a pretty small margin of error there. From then on, she isolated herself from the church, and abandoned her faith. Her dysfunctional children, bewildered town folk, a mysterious book, and a really big debt may be all she will leave behind when she passes.
“Mercy” is a good film. If I had to point out some missed opportunities, I would have liked a little extra creepy with my tale of the rural geriatric set going from loving grandparent to lapdog of the underworld. There is always something chilling about someone who loves you being turned into a ravenous monster bent on killing, eating, or possessing you. Also, Dylan McDermott could have been utilized a little more. In all fairness, I haven’t read the story, but he’s a pretty pivotal character with quite a storyline arc. There’s also a young girl about George’s age that only he can see and talk to. Don’t consider her a sweet love interest for him or you will get some creepy that you don’t want. On a positive note, Chandler Riggs is a good actor with a bright future. He’s already embodied a character in Carl from “The Walking Dead” that he will always be remembered for, but I hope he has more career making roles to come. It would be nice to have someone else like Danielle Harris out there that has embraced horror and made a career out of it. I’d hate to see him quit and sell real estate in California. Not there there’s anything wrong with that.
SOURCE: More Horror – Read entire story here.