THE UNBORN
US, 2009, 87 minutes, Colour.
Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good, Cam Gigandet, Idris Elba, Jane Alexander, Atticus Schaffer, James Remar, Carla Gugino.
Directed by David S. Goyer.
A small horror film where the heroine, Casey (Odette Yustman) spends a lot of time dreaming, the dreams being terrifying premonitions about what might happen to her, especially from a seemingly diabolical child, ghostly, as well as creatures that come out of walls to creep all over her. She also has 'episodes' (probably the best word) where faces appear in cabinets and horrors appear even when she is awake. She spends a lot of the film's time wondering what they mean, talking things over (especially via computer at night) with her best friend (Meagan Good) as well as with her boyfriend (Cam Gigandet). When a real little boy starts saying the same threatening words and one of her irises changes colour, it is time for some professional help, especially when the optician asks whether she is a twin.
Of course, she is. Her brother died in the womb. Now there are messages that he wants to be born. So much, so familiar enough.
What makes this film different and worth some attention is the Jewish background and foreground that David S. Goyer (who wrote the Blade movies and contributed to Batman Begins and The Dark Knight) elaborates. Firstly, our heroine is linked maternally to experiments on twins in Auschwitz. Secondly, the mystery woman in articles that were in her mother's box is her grandmother and was part of these experiments. As played by Jane Alexander, she is a dignified woman who wakes and recites her morning prayer. And the mythology that Goyer draws on is that of the Dybbuk, the Evil spirit that moves from person to person in its malevolence.
Which brings us to the last twenty minutes or more which is an exorcism. Gary Oldman plays a rabbi who is investigating the myth of the dog with upturned head (appearing in Casey's dreams as well as madly pursuing the grandmother through an institution for the elderly). He is also translating a ritual for exorcism. The ritual itself is explained in terms of the symbolic number ten and other Jewish tenets (which may or not be accurate and need scholarly checking since they could be mere Hollywood inventions – which often happens when Catholic rituals are allegedly portrayed). There is talk of inter-faith collaboration because the evil is said to pre-date religions, so the rabbi and a Protestant priest conduct the ceremony (filmed in an old institution where the stained glass images are Catholic).
It is only an average film and horror fans have complained that it is not scary enough. And, if there is a sequel, will it be called The Unborn-again!
1.The work of Goyer, as a writer, fantasy, comic strips, director?
2.The basic idea: twins, the relationship between twins, the possibility of an unborn twin, the death in the womb? Linking this with Mengele’s experiments in Auschwitz? Giving it a Jewish context? The Jewish mythology of the Dybbuk? The malevolent ghost, moving from person to person? The need for an exorcism? How well did these ingredients work, in the context of a horror film?
3.The city setting, Chicago, the rain and the snow? The buildings, college, surgeries, the final building for the exorcism? The hospital and institution? The atmospheric score?
4.The focus on dreams, Casey and the number of her dreams, jogging, the glove, the child, the mask? Her dreams about the creatures and their overwhelming her? The malevolent child? Her feeling persecuted? Her discussions with Romy, trying to understand, with the rabbi, with Mark?
5.Casey as the centre of the film, the young woman, her studies, athleticism? Her friendships? Her relationship with Mark? Her love for her father? The flashbacks to her mother, in the institution, the depression, her death? The mystery about her mother?
6.Casey and her health, going to the optician, the examination of her eyes, the different colours? The discovery of her being a twin? Her father’s explanation? The child not born? The little boy, his being possessed by the Dybbuk? His saying that Jumbi wanted to be born?
7.Her mother’s papers, discovering the article about Sofi? The visit, the institution, the welcome, Sofi changing attitude, sending Casey away? The later contact, her apology? The fact that she was Casey’s grandmother, her story of the Dybbuk? The concentration camps? Her feeling freed, her prayer, moving around the institution in the night, Eli and his being in the chair, the sudden contortion, the face of the dog, her being pursued, her death? The funeral?
8.Casey and her babysitting, the young boy, his becoming possessed, with his baby brother, the threats, the reappearances? Casey saving his life?
9.The rabbi, his translations, the mythology of the dog and the upturned face? The discussions with Casey? His friendship with Arthur Wyndham, Wyndham and the basketball coaching? The decision to do the exorcism?
10.The Jewish background, the significance of the number 10, the rituals and prayers? The ten helpers? Mark and his presence? The ceremony, the Dybbuk and the whirlwind? The papers flying around? The witnesses being overtaken? The Dybbuk moving from person to person? To Arthur Wyndham and his pursuit, to Mark, his death? The rabbi trying to read the ritual?
11.Romy, the friend, her scepticism, talking about superstitions? Her going to the door, the young boy killing her?
12.How credible the plot, the characters? The authenticity of the Jewish background or not? Devices for yet another horror film?
