Cast
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Elisabeth Harnois
as Megan / Sophie
Shawn Ashmore
as Christian
Amanda Seyfried
as Zoe
Hilarie Burton
as Alicia
Tyler Hoechlin
as Nick
Matt O'Leary
as Mark
Lisa Arnold
as Mrs. Thomas
R. Lee Ermey
as Leonard
Lyle Brocato
as Partier
David Dahlgren
as Mr. Thomas
Jenna Hildebrand
as Malin (as Jenna Lynn Hildebrand)
Mark Krasnoff
as Cop
Crew
Director
- Daniel Myrick
Producer
- James D. Stern
- Adam Del Deo
Reviews
Wuchak
_**It's all about the last act**_
"Solstice" (2008) was made by the creator of "The Blair Witch Project", Daniel Myrick, and is a more conventional horror flick. Like "Blair," "Solstice" takes the subtle route with the creep factor and the typical trappings of slasher or quasi-slasher flicks; so stay away if you need serious gore, sex and nudity with your horror.
The film runs 90 minutes and the first hour plays out like myriad other monster/ghost movies -- a group of youths venture to some secluded area to party and tensions increase as the creep factor increases. What separates "Solstice" from, say, most of the Friday the 13th sequels, besides lack of gore, is the serious and realistic vibe of the proceedings. While this is welcomed by me, it also makes for a less entertaining viewing -- for the first hour, that is.
The third act is where everything comes together and there's almost a 'Wow' factor as you realize what's really going on and what happened, etc.
While the cast are all no-names, except Amanda Seyfried (who wasn't too well-known at the time), they're effective enough. They coulda done better with the women, but the main protagonist is decent, Elisabeth Harnois.
The film was shot in Louisiana.
GRADE: B
Oct 25, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This Drama/Horror/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Solstice presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Daniel Myrick brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2008, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Solstice took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 137 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2195 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2008, when this film is released:
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: January 1, 2008
- Runtime: 1h 31m
Where to Watch
