My Soul to Take
Encyclopedia
My Soul to Take is a 2010 American horror film, written and directed by Wes Craven
. It is his first film since 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare
that he both wrote and directed.The film stars Max Thieriot
as the protagonist
Adam "Bug" Hellerman, who is one of seven teenagers chosen to die.
The film was not successful at the box office, and was poorly received by critics.
.
, was originally cast in the lead role of Adam "Bug" Hellerman, but was replaced by Max Thieriot after Hopper contracted mononucleosis
. Accompanying Thieriot is John Magaro as Alex Dunkelman, Adam's friend who is abused
regularly by his sadistic boorish stepfather, Quint (Lou Sumrall). Paulina Olszynski plays Brittany Cunningham, who shares a mutual secret attraction to Adam. Nick Lashaway plays Brandon O'Neal, a "dashing, athletic jock" and "the handsomest boy in his school" who is attracted to Brittany. Emily Meade plays Leah ("Fang"). Zena Grey
, Denzel Whitaker
, Trevor St. John
, Raúl Esparza
and Shareeka Epps
also star.
and Devil.
. Other scenes were filmed in New Milford, CT and Gaylordsville, CT.
, it currently has a 9% approval based on 55 reviews, with an average score of 2.9/10 and a consensus of "Dull, joyless, and formulaic, My Soul to Take suggests writer/director Wes Craven ended his five-year filmmaking hiatus too soon." The 3D conversion was also received negatively.
, Life as We Know It
, Secretariat
, and the previous 3D screen holder Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, in its third weekend. It had placed the record for the lowest opening of a 3D film released at over 1500 venues, claiming the record from Alpha and Omega
until Gulliver's Travels
claimed the record two months later.
Wes Craven
Wesley Earl "Wes" Craven is an American actor, film director, writer, producer, perhaps best known as the director of many horror films, particularly slasher films, including the famed A Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, featuring the iconic Freddy Krueger character, the...
. It is his first film since 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
Wes Craven's New Nightmare is a 1994 horror metafilm written and directed by Wes Craven. Although it is the seventh installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street series, it is not part of the series continuity, instead portraying Freddy Krueger as a fictional movie villain who invades the real world...
that he both wrote and directed.The film stars Max Thieriot
Max Thieriot
Maximillion Drake "Max" Thieriot is an American actor. During the 2000s, he appeared in several Hollywood films, including My Soul to Take, Catch That Kid, The Pacifier, Nancy Drew, Jumper, and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.-Career:Thieriot was signed to talent manager Don Gibble after taking...
as the protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
Adam "Bug" Hellerman, who is one of seven teenagers chosen to die.
The film was not successful at the box office, and was poorly received by critics.
Plot
My Soul to take (Originally titled "25/8") tells the story of the Abel Plenkov who turns to be the Riverton Ripper. The night of his death he vows to return and murder all the 7 children born the night he was killed while being driven to the Hospital he regains consciousness and crashes the Ambulance. It is either he was killed or survived the crash. 16 years after the crash a group of teens gather by the crash site. Legend tells the only way for the Riverton 7 is for them to face the Ripper(which turns out to only be a puppet), this year it is Adam (Bug) Heller's turn( whom is the son of the original Ripper) while doing the deed the cops break the party. All of the teens scram, Bug runs in a group with his friends. He slips into a puddle and his friends come back to see if he is okay. One of his friends Jay, tells him about how he must cross a bridge back and forth every day (the bridge where the Ripper is said to live) and says that his grandma told him if he spit over the bridge the Ripper wouldn't kill him. While crossing the bridge Jay hears footsteps following him. It is the Ripper. The Ripper chases Jay down and stabs him, crashes his head against a suspender, and then throws him off of the bridge. Then Penelope is praying with her friend Melanie(who happens to be knocked up by Brandon, and is the principal's daughter)and Penelope ends up getting her throat slit after hearing strange noises from the filter room. Up next Brandon and Brittany die in the woods after Brandon tries to talk Brittany into having sex with him, the Ripper kills the both of them brutally. Later that night, while celebrating Bug's birthday Bug's sister "Fang" gives him a rocking horse (as seen in the start of the film). Bug's mother later tells Bug to go to his room, Bug later finds out the horse was built, and completed by his father the night he died. Later that night Bug is going downstairs to get a glass of water for his friend Alex. While getting the glass of water Bug realizes May, his mother is dead. While looking at the dead body a policeman shows up, he is stabbed by the Ripper, the Ripper chases Bug through the house. When the ripper finally has Bug where he wants him, he hears what later turns out to be Jerome. Bug chases the ripper to find Jerome in his closet, Jerome says how he was stabbed by the Ripper and was trying to hide. After telling Bug he is a hero he passes away. Alex, who had earlier vanished, shows up and Bug finds out that he (Alex) is the Ripper(the Ripper is another personality of Alex) the Ripper takes over Alex's body and tries to kill Bug but Bug pulls a knife on Alex and stabs him killing the Ripper's personality leading and ending to the Riverton Massacre. Fang later informs police that Bug is hero, and Bug is treated as one too. In a final narration of the film Bug says, "I'll fake it for them, and I'll fake it good. It's what Alex would have wanted."Cast
- Max ThieriotMax ThieriotMaximillion Drake "Max" Thieriot is an American actor. During the 2000s, he appeared in several Hollywood films, including My Soul to Take, Catch That Kid, The Pacifier, Nancy Drew, Jumper, and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.-Career:Thieriot was signed to talent manager Don Gibble after taking...
as Adam 'Bug' Hellerman - John MagaroJohn MagaroJohn Robert Magaro is an American film, television and stage actor. He will star alongside James Gandolfini in Twylight Zones —the upcoming feature film debut of David Chase, creator of The Sopranos.-Life and career:...
as Alex Dunkleman - Denzel WhitakerDenzel WhitakerDenzel Dominique Whitaker is an American actor, playing key roles in the films The Great Debaters and Training Day, as well as TV shows ER, Brothers & Sisters and The War At Home. He later went on to be a featured cast member during the tenth and final season of the Nickelodeon sketch-comedy...
as Jerome King - Zena GreyZena GreyZena Lotus Grey is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the Hollywood films Snow Day, Max Keeble's Big Move, and The Shaggy Dog....
as Penelope Bryte - Nick LashawayNick LashawayNick Lashaway is an American actor. Recognized for his roles in The X-Files and The 40 Year Old Virgin, he has his appearance in The Last Song opposite Miley Cyrus, portraying the leader of a gang of thugs who hustle money from beach carnival crowds through spectacular fire juggling performances...
as Brandon O'Neil - Paulina OlszynskiPaulina OlszynskiPaulina Olszynski is an American actress of Polish origin. She is most known for her role in Wes Craven's 2010 horor movie, My Soul to Take.-Early Life:...
as Brittany Cunningham - Jeremy Chu as Jay Chan
- Emily MeadeEmily MeadeEmily Meade is an American film and television actress. She has been cast in a potentially recurring role as a future version of the character Ella Blake in the U.S. science fiction series Fringe...
as Leah 'Fang' Hellerman - Raul EsparzaRaúl EsparzaRaúl Eduardo Esparza is an American stage actor, singer, and voice artist noted for his award winning performances in Broadway shows...
as Abel Plenkov - Jessica HechtJessica HechtJessica Hecht is an American actress, known for numerous Broadway appearances and TV roles.-Background:Hecht was born in Princeton, New Jersey, the daughter of Lenore, a psychotherapist, and Richard Hecht, a physicist. Jessica moved with her parents and her sister to Bloomfield, CT, at the age of...
as May Hellerman - Frank GrilloFrank GrilloFrank Grillo is an American actor.-Career:Grillo is perhaps best known for his role as Nick Savrinn in Season One of Prison Break. He also had roles in other television shows and movies, including Blind Justice and Battery Park...
as Det. Frank Patterson - Danai Gurira as Jeanne-Baptiste
- Harris YulinHarris YulinHarris Yulin is an American actor who has appeared in dozens of Hollywood and television films.-Life and career:Yulin was born in...
as Dr. Blake - Shareeka EppsShareeka EppsShareeka Epps is an American actress. She starred in the 2006 film Half Nelson, alongside Ryan Gosling.- Life and career :...
as Chandelle - Dennis BoutsikarisDennis BoutsikarisDennis Boutsikaris is an American two-time Obie-Award winning character actor. He is a Broadway Actor and frequent television guest star and leading man in made-for-TV movies...
as Principal Pratt - Felix Solis as Mr. Kaiser
- Christopher Place as The Riverton Ripper
Production
Production of the film began in April 2008 originally aiming for an October 2009 release. Craven described the killer in March 2009 as "a figure who lives under the river", eats bark, and lives in the woods since his alleged death. The film is produced by Anthony Katagas and first time producer Iya Labunka, Craven's wife.3D conversion
The film was shot in 2D. It was only due to the rising popularity of 3D films at the time that the decision was made to have it converted to 3-D3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
.
Casting
Henry Hopper, son of late actor Dennis HopperDennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors' Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1954 and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant...
, was originally cast in the lead role of Adam "Bug" Hellerman, but was replaced by Max Thieriot after Hopper contracted mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
. Accompanying Thieriot is John Magaro as Alex Dunkelman, Adam's friend who is abused
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
regularly by his sadistic boorish stepfather, Quint (Lou Sumrall). Paulina Olszynski plays Brittany Cunningham, who shares a mutual secret attraction to Adam. Nick Lashaway plays Brandon O'Neal, a "dashing, athletic jock" and "the handsomest boy in his school" who is attracted to Brittany. Emily Meade plays Leah ("Fang"). Zena Grey
Zena Grey
Zena Lotus Grey is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the Hollywood films Snow Day, Max Keeble's Big Move, and The Shaggy Dog....
, Denzel Whitaker
Denzel Whitaker
Denzel Dominique Whitaker is an American actor, playing key roles in the films The Great Debaters and Training Day, as well as TV shows ER, Brothers & Sisters and The War At Home. He later went on to be a featured cast member during the tenth and final season of the Nickelodeon sketch-comedy...
, Trevor St. John
Trevor St. John
Trevor Marshall St. John is an American actor. He portrayed Todd Manning/Victor Lord Jr. on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live, and has starred in various prime time shows and film.-Career:...
, Raúl Esparza
Raúl Esparza
Raúl Eduardo Esparza is an American stage actor, singer, and voice artist noted for his award winning performances in Broadway shows...
and Shareeka Epps
Shareeka Epps
Shareeka Epps is an American actress. She starred in the 2006 film Half Nelson, alongside Ryan Gosling.- Life and career :...
also star.
Release
The film was released on October 8, 2010 and ran in 3-D. My Soul to Take was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on February 8. The trailer was attached to Resident Evil: AfterlifeResident Evil: Afterlife
Resident Evil: Afterlife is a 2010 Canadian-German 3D science-fiction horror action film written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. It stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Spencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe, and Wentworth Miller. The film marks Anderson's second time to direct in...
and Devil.
Locations
Although many of the main scenes were filmed in multiple rural Massachusetts towns, many of the high school scenes were shot in the then vacant Tolland High SchoolTolland High School
-Overview:In 1969 Tolland High School opened as the first all electric High School in the state of Connecticut. In it's first year there were only 3 grades 9th, 10th and 11th.Tolland High School now serves students in 9th through 12th grades...
. Other scenes were filmed in New Milford, CT and Gaylordsville, CT.
Critical
My Soul to Take was not previously screened for critics and has been universally panned by them. On Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, it currently has a 9% approval based on 55 reviews, with an average score of 2.9/10 and a consensus of "Dull, joyless, and formulaic, My Soul to Take suggests writer/director Wes Craven ended his five-year filmmaking hiatus too soon." The 3D conversion was also received negatively.
Box office
The film opened at #4 on its opening Friday, but ultimately placed at #5 for the weekend with $6,842,220 behind The Social NetworkThe Social Network
The Social Network is a 2010 American drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin. Adapted from Ben Mezrich's 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, the film portrays the founding of social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits...
, Life as We Know It
Life as We Know It (film)
Life as We Know It is a 2010 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. It was released on October 8, 2010, after sneak previews in 811 theaters on October 2, 2010...
, Secretariat
Secretariat (film)
Secretariat is a 2010 biographical film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Mayhem Pictures, and directed by Randall Wallace. The film chronicles the life of thoroughbred race horse Secretariat, winner of the Triple Crown in 1973...
, and the previous 3D screen holder Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, in its third weekend. It had placed the record for the lowest opening of a 3D film released at over 1500 venues, claiming the record from Alpha and Omega
Alpha and Omega (film)
Alpha and Omega is a 2010 3D American computer animated comedy-drama film produced by Crest Animation Productions and Richard Rich. The film is directed by Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck, starring the voices of Justin Long, Hayden Panettiere, Dennis Hopper , Danny Glover and Christina Ricci.The film...
until Gulliver's Travels
Gulliver's Travels (2010 film)
Gulliver's Travels is a 2010 fantasy comedy film directed by Rob Letterman and very loosely based on Part One of the 18th-century novel of the same name by Jonathan Swift, though the film takes place in modern day...
claimed the record two months later.
External links
- My Soul to Take at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...