Watch The Night Before Halloween

The Night Before Halloween is a 2016 horror film directed by Sheldon Wilson and starring Bailee Madison, Justin Kelly, and Jahmil French. The movie follows a group of high school friends who decide to play a prank on the school bully, but things take a sinister turn when they accidentally awaken an evil entity on Halloween Eve. The film opens with Chris (Justin Kelly), a high school senior, narrating the story of how he and his friends – Eve (Bailee Madison), Gwennie (Natalie Ganzhorn), and Treena (Avery Esteves) – had been terrorized by the school bully, Derek (Alex Harrouch), for years. Determined to get even, the group hatches a plan to prank Derek on Halloween Eve. The plan is to sneak into the abandoned house where Derek's father allegedly committed suicide and pretend to summon his 'ghost.'

However, upon their arrival, they realize that the house is not as empty as they thought, and they unwittingly awaken an ancient spirit that has been waiting for centuries to be released. Soon, strange things start happening, and the group's initial excitement turns into fear as they realize that they are in grave danger. Something evil is stalking them, and they must do whatever it takes to survive the night.

The Night Before Halloween is a classic horror movie in many ways, with jump scares, creepy music, and dark atmosphere. The film's strength is in its relatable characters, who are all facing their own demons. Chris is haunted by the memory of his father's death, Treena is struggling with her sexuality, Gwennie is stuck in an abusive relationship, and Eve is dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event.

Bailee Madison delivers a strong performance as Eve, the film's protagonist, who is both vulnerable and resilient. She carries the emotional weight of the story and manages to convey a sense of dread without resorting to overacting. Justin Kelly is also noteworthy as Chris, who has to confront his darkest fears to save his friends. However, while the other characters are well-developed, they don't get as much screen time as Eve and Chris.

The movie's pacing is taut, with the tension building gradually as the night wears on. The climax is suitably suspenseful, and the ending will leave viewers with a sense of unease. The Night Before Halloween is not a gore-fest, but it has its share of creepy moments that will make you jump. The film relies more on atmosphere and psychological horror to create a sense of dread, and it succeeds in doing so.

The Night Before Halloween is not a groundbreaking horror movie, but it is a solid entry into the genre. While the plot is not particularly original, it manages to keep the audience engaged through the strength of its characters and the tension of its setting. The cinematography is excellent, with the abandoned house providing an eerie backdrop to the story.

Overall, The Night Before Halloween is a movie that horror fans will enjoy. It is not a perfect film, but it is a well-constructed horror story that will keep you on edge. The actors give strong performances, and the direction is solid. If you're looking for a spooky movie to watch on Halloween night, this one is worth checking out.

The Night Before Halloween is a 2016 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.