Watch Desecrated

Desecrated is a 2015 thriller directed by Rob Garcia and written by Cecil Chambers. It stars Haylie Duff as Samantha, a young woman who inherits her family's remote ranch in the New Mexico desert. Along with her friends, Jake (Gib Gerard) and Emily (Jes Macallan), she plans to spend the weekend at the ranch, to celebrate her inheritance by throwing a party.

At first, everything seems normal, and the trio begins to enjoy the comforts of the sprawling estate. They explore the area, ride horses, and indulge in the beautiful scenery surrounding them. However, things quickly take a dark turn when they realize they're not alone in the vast wilderness. Someone is lurking in the shadows, watching their every move, and slowly begins to unleash chaos on the unsuspecting group.

The film is a classic thriller, with elements of horror and suspense. It starts with a slow build-up, setting the scene for what's to come, and then gradually ratchets up the suspense as the tension builds. With a hauntingly beautiful desert landscape as the backdrop, the storyline progresses from an idyllic weekend getaway to a fight for survival. The atmosphere is eerie and unsettling, and the audience is constantly on edge, never quite sure what's coming next.

Haylie Duff delivers a powerful performance as Samantha, the lead character, who is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events unfolding around her. She is joined by Gib Gerard, who plays Jake, a good-natured bachelor with a penchant for risk-taking, and Jes Macallan, who portrays Emily, Samantha's best friend, and confidante. Michael Ironside appears as Sheriff Saunders, the town's top lawman, who is tasked with investigating the strange occurrences at the ranch. He brings a sense of gravitas to the film, lending it an air of realism.

The film is a satisfactory thriller, with a combination of strong acting, beautiful scenery, and exceptional cinematography. It unfolds at a steady pace, with tension slowly building to a climactic finale. The sound design is also terrific, with the soundtrack adding to the sense of unease and dread, heightening the tension.

One of the most significant strengths of Desecrated is its setting, which effectively turns the beautiful landscape of the New Mexico desert into a character itself. The vast expanse of wilderness, the beautiful starry skies, and the endless silence are all exploited to great effect, lending a sense of isolation to the story, which is absolutely crucial for a story of this type.

In terms of shortcomings, some viewers might find the initial setup of the film too slow. The first 30 minutes of the movie are spent setting up the scenario and introducing the characters, and as a result, the tension does not begin to ramp up until well into the second act. Additionally, the characterisation can feel somewhat underdeveloped, with the supporting cast not receiving nearly as much development or depth as Samantha herself, leaving them feeling a little hollow.

Overall, Desecrated provides an enjoyable ride for thriller enthusiasts, offering an intriguing mystery, strong performances, and some genuinely tense moments. Its strengths lie in its great cinematography, detailed production design, and the dedication it shows in turning the New Mexico desert into a character in its own right. While it may not be a great film, it is a fun and enjoyable thriller, which delivers an excellent suspenseful experience.

Desecrated is a 2015 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.3.