I love me a bit of horror, and I love indie films. In particular, I enjoy horror that doesn't take itself too seriously. After all, horror and comedy are really two sides of the same coin. (Or maybe it's just because I'm one of those people who laughs when she's scared.) 

Either way, I'm also a big believer in giving indie films a shot. We live in a double-edged era of entertainment. The good news is, just about anyone can get their work out there; the bad news is, just about anyone can get their work out there. But swimming through the deluge is worth it for the chance to discover up-and-coming talents.

The Wraith Within comes to us from director Aaron Strey (his first credit) and writer Carlos A. Samudio (Looknow Presents Supernatural Sleuths). The film sees a group of old friends reconvening on their hometown for a high school reunion—with varying degrees of enthusiasm about the whole thing. While some are thrilled at the chance to reconnect, others pick up old high school rivalries right where they left off.

But in the face of a cursed teddy bear unleashing its evils on the town, even a heartfelt proposal takes a back seat.

Sealed away for decades, said teddy bear contains a vengeful spirit. And she's about to let loose on this band of vacationers. As the local sheriff and his team attempt to get to the bottom of the sudden spate of slasher-style killings, the ever-dwindling central cast attempts to find out who this wraith is... and why she's going ham with a pitchfork.

The Wraith Within embraces both its indie status and its self-aware nature. While not outright a comedy, there are tongue-in-cheek moments. Most characters' point of reference for just about anything is horror movies (the film begins with the characters playing "Fuck, Marry, Kill" with infamous horror movie baddies). Granted, when the deaths ramp up, the comparison is apt. But there are several unapologetic genre nods throughout.

Bringing a dash of star power to the film is Michael Madsen, whom Quentin Tarantino fans will know all too well. He appears as the unflappable Sheriff Townsend, facing down the evening's horrors with small-town sturdiness and wit. Unsurprisingly, he steals just about every scene he's in, right down to his final line as the movie finishes out.

Is The Wraith Within high art? Absolutely not. Does it attempt to present itself as such? Never. Again, it's quite aware of what it is, and has no issue playing into that. The back story of the film is interesting, and the observers (mostly local law enforcement) are memorable. It seems a bit disingenuous to expect the cast earmarked as victims to be "memorable," as this is a movie with a lot of kills. In fairness, there are characters who feel killable from the very first moment. Some of them are possibly a bit too unpleasant, clearly written to not be mourned. 

If I have a "complaint" with the film, it's that: a large amount of the secondary cast didn't feel flexible so much as ungrounded, and came across as stilted in their delivery. The dead people walking never committed to either realism or parody, lingering somewhere in between and ending up feeling out of place regardless of a scene's tone. Right up until their kill.

Allison Hawkstone and Shane Christopher have some definite acting chops, though we really only get to see those at their peak late in the film. I wish we'd had a bit more time to examine their relationship, though what we did get made up for a lot of the issues with their friend group. They—along with the film in general—leave me wanting more. I want to see what everyone does next: how they build on what they did well here and continue to improve.

Overall, The Wraith Within is fun for an afternoon with fellow horror fans, and great for Michael Madsen's moments. There's promise there, which I hope to see blossom even more in future movies. The only way we'll see that happen, though, is if you give this flick a try and support the creators (as well as other indie filmmakers).

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