‘Anything for Jackson’ Is An Unsettling, Effective Occult Horror Film – Movie Review

I love, love, love movies about the occult. So, I jumped at the chance to review Shudder’s new film: Justin G. Dyck’s (Super Detention) Anything for Jackson. I had no idea what a ride I was in for. The film centers around a rich, bereaved elderly couple who are grieving the loss of their grandchild. They turn to Satanism—as you do—and kidnap a pregnant woman, Becker, intending to replace her unborn child with the soul of their grandson. But they may have summoned more than they intended…

 

Synopsis:

A bereaved Satanist couple kidnap a pregnant woman so they can use an ancient spellbook to put their dead grandson’s spirit into her unborn child but end up summoning more than they bargained for.

Henry and Audrey, as brilliantly portrayed by Sheila McCarthy (The Day After Tomorrow) and Julian Richings (Supernatural TV series), are the most sympathetic villains I’ve ever seen on film. While they are certainly supposed to represent the embodiment of evil in the film, it’s impossible not to sympathize with them. They are so perfectly cast that I can’t imagine anyone else in these roles. Everything about them—their looks, their movements, even their voices—seem perfect for this film. I’m dying to see more of them in the future.

As evil starts to slowly overtake the house, it becomes clear that the couple only have themselves to blame. While money can buy almost anything, there are always exceptions. And the subtle, unsettling way the evil unfolds reveals the beating heart of a great horror film underneath the layers of drama. The atmosphere is dark and sinister, and the jump scares are perfectly timed.

As the kidnap victim, Becker (Konstantina Mantelos: Morbus), does a great job of managing her terror. One other interesting character is Josh Cruddas as Ian, the Satanist Henry and Audrey turn to for help. He practically has “bad idea” stamped across his forehead. The monsters in the film are truly terrifying, all created through the use of practical effects.

Anything for Jackson certainly has a great deal to say about the nature of grief and the inability to let go, but also how the rich attempt to buy what they want, damning all the consequences. And it’s wrapped up in a fantastic horror film to boot! This is film you should do anything to see!