Homecoming 2010 Horror Movie Review

A young freshman Mike (Matt Long) was a star quarterback in a small town called Mt. Bliss, and now he comes back to his home for a visit with a new girlfriend Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup). It is only natural that Shelby (Mischa Barton), who was dating Mike when they were in high school, is not very happy about that. To make matters more complicated, Mike says his relationship with Shelby is over while Shelby just doesn’t think so.


On the night of their reunion something terrible happens to Elizabeth. That is when Shelby gets a chance to make her former boyfriend hers again. Shelby, obsessed with the idea, would never let this opportunity go.


Though pretty tight and well-acted, “Homecoming” is a disappointing thriller. The film borrows so many things from other films, and it is not a thrilling experience to watch all three principal characters doing stupid mistakes: Why leave your girlfriend there? Why leave the door open? Why not smash the window? Why not fight back?


Those who are looking for silly, over-the-top, campy movies should look elsewhere. The story is silly, but Mischa Barton’s performance itself is fine and convincing. The acting of other actors is not bad, and the photography is decent. The script is clichéd, formulaic and built on incredible premise and coincidences, but the film itself is professionally done and somehow I was not bored. I also liked the fry pan scene. Nice way of using it.


The list of thrillers about obsessed female character may not be very long, but still is impressive - last year’s “Obsessed,” “Play Misty for Me” (Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut), “The Crush” (starring Alicia Silverstone), “Single White Female,” “Misery” and of course “Fatal Attraction.” “Homecoming” is definitely not the best of this minor genre, and perhaps not the worst.