Writer and director Chad Archibald’s supernatural, female-driven, psychological horror fantasy “It Feeds” features strong performances, clever visuals, and a well-written story that sticks to its own rules. While the themes of trauma and confronting inner demons aren’t exactly groundbreaking, the film handles them well and delivers a satisfying genre ride.
Convinced that a sinister entity is feeding on her, and young girl and her father (Shawn Ashmore) seek the help of Cynthia (Ashley Greene), a clairvoyant therapist who, along with her daughter Jordan (Ellie O’Brien), must figure out how to stop the malevolent force before it consumes the young girl entirely. The haunting intensifies, setting off a trip into the underworld to fight a demon that’s hell-bent on never letting go.
Visually, the film sticks to classic genre elements, like making great use of shadows and effective jump scares. Ashmore’s direction is strong and the visual effects, while simple, don’t feel cheap or half-baked. The horror comes from the story’s unsettling atmospheric tone.
While it’s not new to the horror genre, it’s also great to see a story where almost every major character (even the demon) is a strong woman. Ashmore prioritizes people over plot twists, especially as the characters are forced to face their own demons. This adds emotional depth to the supernatural horror.
I also appreciate how well the film adheres to its own internal logic. So many films introduce interesting concepts but struggle to maintain consistency within their own rules, but this one doesn’t. Every twist, revelation, and scare feels earned because the movie establishes clear parameters and sticks to them. It’s well-written (if admittedly simple), and doesn’t rely on cheap tricks to keep the audience engaged.
While the overarching themes like grappling with trauma, facing inner demons, and the battle between belief and skepticism aren’t exactly new, “It Feeds” executes them well and delivers a satisfying story for horror fans.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 