Jackals (2017)

Jackals Poster

Set in the 1980s, an estranged family hires a cult deprogrammer to take back their teenage son from a murderous cult, but find themselves under siege when the cultists surround their cabin, demanding the boy back.

Film Overview
Released in 2017, "Jackals" is a psychological horror-thriller directed by Kevin Greutert, understood for his deal with movies like "Saw" and "Jessabelle". The motion picture unfolds from the edge of a tense hostage situation and draws a spooky parallel to cult practices, including a distressed American family in the 1980s. The power-packed cast includes Stephen Dorff, Johnathon Schaech, Deborah Kara Unger, Chelsea Ricketts, and Nick Roux.

Plot Summary
The motion picture opens with a chilling scene in which 2 innocent individuals are ruthily murdered as a ritual by a mystical cult group referred to as the "Jackals". The plot then shifts to the Powell family-- the rich moms and dads Kathy and Andrew, their teenage daughter Campbell, and her newborn son. The Powells hire cult deprogrammer Jimmy Levine (played by Stephen Dorff), to recover their other child Justin, who is deeply persuaded by the cult.

Jimmy, a former cult member himself, specializes in reversing cult control. He manages to abduct Justin and takes him to the family's secluded cabin for the deprogramming procedure. This intense process consists of limiting Justin and breaking down his indoctrinated beliefs. Nevertheless, the household's attempt to rescue their child creates a tense, desperate atmosphere as the cult members surround the cabin, demanding Justin's release.

Character Development
As the night descends, the individual struggles and stress within family members surface, revealing a more complex web of psychological chaos. Justin's allegiance to the cult drives a wedge in between him and his household, redefining the relationship they share. The character of Jimmy is essential in navigating these intricacies, including an extra layer of thriller. His tricky past and unconventional approaches called into question his intentions and effectiveness.

Tense Climax and Impactful Ending
The cult's determination in recovering Justin causes an extreme showdown. The movie depicts a nightmarish encounter with the masked members of Jackals and a climatic horror that snatches away the hope of saving Justin. The dreadful climax leaves the audience facing the gruesome truth of cultism and its devastating, unrelenting practices.

The ending is thought-provoking and open-ended, prompting the audience to question the nature of cult brainwashing and the toll it handles families. The raw, upsetting violence and the haunting pictures of cult rituals depict the scary face of extreme belief systems, activating chills down the spinal column.

Important Reception
"Jackals" gotten blended evaluations from critics and audiences alike for its tight storyline, climatic horror, and fine performances. While some praised its portrayal of cult scary and brainwashing, others criticized it for lack of character depth and an abrupt conclusion. Intense and ruthless, the movie highlighted the terror of cult impact and its shattering effects on families. Despite its graphic realism and suspenseful story, it missed checking out the prospective in-depth analysis of cult workings and household characteristics, decreasing its influence on the audience.

In conclusion, "Jackals" is a bleak, suspenseful scary film that presents the frightening cult practices and their ingrained effects on relationships, culminating in a relentless, bloody phenomenon. Its open-ended, thought-provoking conclusion invites audience analysis and leaves them with a chilling aftertaste of fanatic belief systems.

Top Cast

  • Stephen Dorff (small)
    Stephen Dorff
    Jimmy Levine
  • Johnathon Schaech (small)
    Johnathon Schaech
    Andrew Powell
  • Deborah Kara Unger (small)
    Deborah Kara Unger
    Kathy Powell
  • Nick Roux (small)
    Nick Roux
    Campbell Powell
  • Alyssa Julia Smith (small)
    Alyssa Julia Smith
    Fox Girl
  • Chelsea Ricketts (small)
    Chelsea Ricketts
    Samantha
  • Ben Sullivan (small)
    Ben Sullivan
    Justin Powell
  • Jason Scott Jenkins (small)
    Jason Scott Jenkins
    Lead Cultist
  • Cassie Hernandez (small)
    Cassie Hernandez
    Luisa
  • Alex Kingi
    Mateo
  • Alex Castillo (small)
    Alex Castillo
    Eloy