Shallow Ground

(2004) ***1/2

What a wonderful surprise! Shallow Ground proves that you do not need a Spielberg-size budget to make an effective, gripping little horror film. According to the documentary included on the DVD, the film was made for only $72,000. I think people just try harder when they have limited funds. As the film opens we find two policemen closing their small town police station for good. Apparently this was a temporary station that was only created to deal with any local grievances while a new dam was being built in the area. As the staff is literally packing up the station, a naked, bloody, teenage boy walks in. Despite all attempts at communication, he does not speak and the police are baffled. A test of the blood covering the boy reveals that it comes from at least 3 people who have been dead for quite some time. After another naked, bloody boy shows up in a nearby town, strange, malevolent things start to happen. To give any more away would be ruinous. Shallow Ground is creepy and riveting and probably requires more than 1 viewing to fully understand how all the storylines ultimately merge. A perfectly fun, little chiller. Recommended.