Making Contact 2002 Horror Movie Review

On the surface Making Contact seems like a horror movie for kids, and it works well on that level, with plenty of special effects, and not too scary.  It has an interesting basic idea, about a boy who makes contact with his late father by phone.  He comes into telekinetic powers, and later finds a scary ventriloquist’s dummy in an abanoned house who tells him the voice on the phone isn’t his father, but an evil entity to be avoided.  But should you really believe a scary ventriloquist’s dummy? Similar ideas were used in later films like White Noise and others.


The film is underrated for specific reasons. It tries to be more of a fantasy of the genre that deals with near-death or after-death experiences (Heaven Can Wait, The Dust Factory, etc.) than just a horror film, but this makes the plot seem uneven.  Some scenes seem like deliberate imitations of Spielberg and other horror films.  However, some clever and stirring moments shine through, particularly the ending.  Other horror movies with child protagonists include Thirteen Ghosts, The Lady In White, and Sixth Sense.  In terms of special effects alone, Making Contact has more to offer that these; but the others are scarier and more enjoyable to adults.


I recommend this film more to fans of films like Dragonfly and Just Like Heavan than people who want to be seriously frightened.