“The Hollow” (2015) is a supernatural horror TV movie directed by Sheldon Wilson. It combines elements of mystery, suspense, and supernatural horror, but despite its ambitious premise, the film struggles with execution. Set against a moody backdrop, the movie tries to evoke tension and terror but ultimately falls short in several key areas. Here’s a detailed review:

Plot Overview

The story follows three sisters—Sarah (Stephanie Hunt), Marley (Sarah Dugdale), and Emma (Alisha Newton)—who travel to a small, isolated island in the Pacific Northwest to attend a funeral. Shortly after their arrival, they find themselves trapped on the island during a deadly storm. To make matters worse, they are hunted by a mysterious supernatural entity, which appears to be connected to the island’s dark past. As the sisters try to survive, they unravel secrets about the island’s history, all while dealing with their own personal issues and fears.

Performances

The performances in The Hollow are serviceable, though the material doesn’t allow the cast to truly shine. Stephanie Hunt as Sarah, the oldest sister, delivers a competent portrayal of a character trying to protect her siblings while dealing with her own emotional baggage. Sarah Dugdale as Marley and Alisha Newton as Emma are similarly adequate, but their characters often fall into typical horror movie archetypes: the rebellious teen, the scared child, etc.

The chemistry between the three sisters feels somewhat uneven, which impacts the emotional weight of the film. In horror movies, especially those focused on family dynamics, the relationships between characters can elevate the tension, but in The Hollow, the sibling dynamics aren’t developed enough to make the audience care deeply about their fates.

Atmosphere and Visuals

One of the strengths of The Hollow is its atmosphere. The setting on a fog-covered, rain-soaked island is suitably eerie, and the film makes good use of its environment to create a sense of isolation and dread. The island itself feels hostile, with gnarled trees, dark forests, and looming shadows contributing to the overall mood.

However, the film’s visual effects, particularly the depiction of the supernatural entity, are less impressive. The creature design is fairly generic, and the special effects used to portray it often come across as low-budget and unconvincing. This undermines the film’s ability to scare, as the creature is a central element of the horror.

Story and Pacing

The plot of The Hollow has potential but suffers from poor pacing and a lack of cohesion. The film spends a significant amount of time setting up the storm and the sisters’ entrapment on the island, but the supernatural elements feel underdeveloped. The movie hints at a deeper mythology surrounding the entity and the island, but it never fully explores these ideas, leaving viewers with more questions than answers by the end.

Additionally, the pacing is uneven. The movie often drags in the middle, with long stretches of the characters wandering through the island or discussing their family issues. These scenes could have been used to build tension, but instead, they slow the momentum of the film, making it feel longer than its runtime. When the action does pick up in the final act, it feels rushed and disjointed, with a somewhat abrupt and unsatisfying resolution.

Horror Elements

The Hollow tries to blend supernatural horror with psychological elements, but neither aspect is executed particularly well. The scares are mostly of the jump-scare variety, and they’re often telegraphed, making them less effective. The supernatural entity is rarely seen in full, but when it does appear, its presence isn’t as menacing or terrifying as it should be. The atmosphere is eerie, but the film fails to build on that mood with genuine moments of fear or suspense.

The movie also touches on themes of guilt, grief, and family trauma, but these themes feel undercooked. They could have added depth to the horror, making the sisters’ personal demons as frightening as the external ones, but the film doesn’t delve into these ideas enough to make them resonate.

Reception and Legacy

The Hollow received generally poor reviews upon its release, with many critics citing the weak plot, underdeveloped characters, and lackluster scares as major flaws. While the film’s setting and atmosphere were praised, these elements weren’t enough to overcome the movie’s shortcomings.

Over time, the film has remained relatively obscure, failing to gain the cult following that some low-budget horror movies achieve. It’s a movie that might appeal to viewers looking for a casual supernatural thriller with some spooky atmosphere, but it doesn’t stand out in a crowded horror genre.

Conclusion

The Hollow is a horror movie that starts with a promising premise but falls flat in execution. The atmospheric setting and moody cinematography create a sense of isolation and dread, but the weak character development, uneven pacing, and underwhelming scares prevent it from being truly effective. Fans of low-budget horror might find some entertainment in it, but overall, it’s a forgettable entry in the supernatural genre.