I was looking for a movie to watch, an instant watch movie actually, but I wasn't sure what it was I wanted to watch. I checked Netflix and decided to watch the next film that is also in my DVD queue. Just as I decided that I remembered that I had yet to watch the prequel to Bad Ben. I didn't know there was one out until I happened to read a review for the first film that mentioned the prequel film. Steelmanville Road (2017) can also be found on Amazon Prime so it was something I wanted to watch in order to get a mini-series review in.
Racheal (Jessica Partridge) is taking her husband Matt (Christopher Partridge) to their new home. Unknown to him, Racheal found out that her birth mother, whom she has never actually met, let her house to Racheal in her will. Matt isn't sure about the idea, as he is afraid they won't be able to pay their bills that come with this large house, but eventually, he warms up to the idea. Matt works late, which leaves Racheal in the house alone. She swears to Matt that she hears voices and strange sounds, but Matt doesn't really believe her until he sees proof on security footage. Trying to figure out what is going on, they eventually talk to Mona (Jeanne Sutton), a friend of Racheal's mother, who reveals that everything is connected to the Jersey Devil.
Steelmanville Road, an actual road and the filming location in New Jersey, was written and directed by Nigel Bach. Since I wasn't a real big fan of the first film, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this film. I am glad that Bach decided on a prequel, as there were a few unanswered questions from the first film. Events in this film do help explain some things that happened in the first film. But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I was a little surprised to find that spooky stuff started to happen almost right away for our main characters. I was under the impression that they responsible for what was happening months later in the original film, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. While Bach tries to explain what is going on, this is where the story and the characters start to get confusing. It was kind of interesting to include the legend of the Jersey Devil, which is discussed some in the movie, as I would never have guessed that the film was going in that direction. While saying the Jersey Devil legend will be found in the film is a slight spoiler, I'm willing to risk it because there is more to it than that which I won't mention here. Anyway, what I found confusing is the mention of the Leeds' family is mentioned, and then there is a cut to outside with ghosts saying they will kill the husband. Evil, right? But then it is also mentioned that there are ghosts watching over Racheal and protecting her. Those ghosts are family that has passed on, which according to the script...are the Leeds! I suppose not everyone in the Leeds' family tree is evil, but it was just confusing since it is never said which ghosts are good or evil.
To make matters worse, it was hard to get a grasp on the characters. Matt is often called a dick by his friend because of the way he reacts to things. Sort of in an "okay, why do I care" type of way. While Racheal tries to tell Matt what is happening around the house, Matt shuts her out even worse. Once he figures out something is going on, he changes his tone of course. Mona is even worse trying to get a grasp on because it is so hard to figure out if she is trying to protect Racheal and Matt or try to help the evil plan. One minute Mona is warning Racheal that something bad will happen to her, the next minute Mona is unlocking a door ensuring something bad will happen. Before that, she makes sure a cross is on display to keep the ghosts out.
Once again there isn't much for special effects. The only ghost that we get to see is always shown as gray, while everything else is their normal colors. I can't find am IMDb or Letterboxd page for the film, but I read in another review that this is the first film for all the actors. I didn't have a big problem with the acting usually, but you can tell that the actors don't have a lot of experience. The arguments between Matt and Racheal kind of stood out for that reason. They didn't feel very believable most of the time.
Steelmanville Road uses the same format as Bad Ben. It is another found footage style film that uses mostly cell phones and security cameras to show what is going on. It is the same house with the exact same things in it. Bach seems to go out of his way to explain some things that happened in the first film here. The grave outside? The drawing found in the Bible? What was in the basement and why it was chained up? All this and more is explained. I didn't feel everything got explained but there was enough to fill in most of the gaps at least. Bach's odd dialogue is also on display, with at least one line making me be sarcastic towards it. Steelmanville Road isn't really better than the first film, though it does try to take the subject matter more seriously. You don't need to see Bad Ben before seeing this film just because this is a prequel so it is its own story. If you have watched Bad Ben, then you might want to check this film out as well just to fill in some gaps.
2 out of 5 Do you believe in the Jersey Devil?
Racheal (Jessica Partridge) is taking her husband Matt (Christopher Partridge) to their new home. Unknown to him, Racheal found out that her birth mother, whom she has never actually met, let her house to Racheal in her will. Matt isn't sure about the idea, as he is afraid they won't be able to pay their bills that come with this large house, but eventually, he warms up to the idea. Matt works late, which leaves Racheal in the house alone. She swears to Matt that she hears voices and strange sounds, but Matt doesn't really believe her until he sees proof on security footage. Trying to figure out what is going on, they eventually talk to Mona (Jeanne Sutton), a friend of Racheal's mother, who reveals that everything is connected to the Jersey Devil.
Steelmanville Road, an actual road and the filming location in New Jersey, was written and directed by Nigel Bach. Since I wasn't a real big fan of the first film, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this film. I am glad that Bach decided on a prequel, as there were a few unanswered questions from the first film. Events in this film do help explain some things that happened in the first film. But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I was a little surprised to find that spooky stuff started to happen almost right away for our main characters. I was under the impression that they responsible for what was happening months later in the original film, but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. While Bach tries to explain what is going on, this is where the story and the characters start to get confusing. It was kind of interesting to include the legend of the Jersey Devil, which is discussed some in the movie, as I would never have guessed that the film was going in that direction. While saying the Jersey Devil legend will be found in the film is a slight spoiler, I'm willing to risk it because there is more to it than that which I won't mention here. Anyway, what I found confusing is the mention of the Leeds' family is mentioned, and then there is a cut to outside with ghosts saying they will kill the husband. Evil, right? But then it is also mentioned that there are ghosts watching over Racheal and protecting her. Those ghosts are family that has passed on, which according to the script...are the Leeds! I suppose not everyone in the Leeds' family tree is evil, but it was just confusing since it is never said which ghosts are good or evil.
To make matters worse, it was hard to get a grasp on the characters. Matt is often called a dick by his friend because of the way he reacts to things. Sort of in an "okay, why do I care" type of way. While Racheal tries to tell Matt what is happening around the house, Matt shuts her out even worse. Once he figures out something is going on, he changes his tone of course. Mona is even worse trying to get a grasp on because it is so hard to figure out if she is trying to protect Racheal and Matt or try to help the evil plan. One minute Mona is warning Racheal that something bad will happen to her, the next minute Mona is unlocking a door ensuring something bad will happen. Before that, she makes sure a cross is on display to keep the ghosts out.
Once again there isn't much for special effects. The only ghost that we get to see is always shown as gray, while everything else is their normal colors. I can't find am IMDb or Letterboxd page for the film, but I read in another review that this is the first film for all the actors. I didn't have a big problem with the acting usually, but you can tell that the actors don't have a lot of experience. The arguments between Matt and Racheal kind of stood out for that reason. They didn't feel very believable most of the time.
Steelmanville Road uses the same format as Bad Ben. It is another found footage style film that uses mostly cell phones and security cameras to show what is going on. It is the same house with the exact same things in it. Bach seems to go out of his way to explain some things that happened in the first film here. The grave outside? The drawing found in the Bible? What was in the basement and why it was chained up? All this and more is explained. I didn't feel everything got explained but there was enough to fill in most of the gaps at least. Bach's odd dialogue is also on display, with at least one line making me be sarcastic towards it. Steelmanville Road isn't really better than the first film, though it does try to take the subject matter more seriously. You don't need to see Bad Ben before seeing this film just because this is a prequel so it is its own story. If you have watched Bad Ben, then you might want to check this film out as well just to fill in some gaps.
2 out of 5 Do you believe in the Jersey Devil?
