Amityville Playhouse

Riding on the coat-tails of a horror legacy is this shabby shock-fest, following young Fawn (Monèle LeStrat) as she and her friends investigate an abandoned cinema left to her by her father, which leads them into the clutches of an evil presence. Shooting in a gloomy, amateurish style only underlines the low standards set by British director John R Walker (once an extra in Doctor Who) and screenwriter Steve Hardy (once an extra in The Duchess) whose plot is a half-hearted retread of most of the spin-off films bearing the Amityville name. It feels far removed from the 1979 original (and even the 2005 remake) and the lack of originality removes any sense of threat, which is further diluted by stiff and awkward performances. Indeed, the cast look as unconvinced by the story as viewers almost certainly will be. Unlikely to excite even the most ardent horror fans, Amityville Playhouse is an under-developed misfire that, if nothing else, makes you pine for scary movies of old.