24 reviews
What I don't like is the manga cartoon backstory - really odd and probably no cheaper than filming it with lower standard actors.
And I really do not understand (or like) the fact that they are filming with a handycam (Sony I think) that states HD on its fold out screen but when that footage is shown it is in monochrome and REALLY grainy. That makes no sense at all - it isn't archive/vintage footage.
Then the manga cartoons are injected again and again in the various clips of backstory. All the drawn characters are "Asian" but the language is American English as is any writing shown within them. Just odd.
And I really do not understand (or like) the fact that they are filming with a handycam (Sony I think) that states HD on its fold out screen but when that footage is shown it is in monochrome and REALLY grainy. That makes no sense at all - it isn't archive/vintage footage.
Then the manga cartoons are injected again and again in the various clips of backstory. All the drawn characters are "Asian" but the language is American English as is any writing shown within them. Just odd.
- BandSAboutMovies
- Sep 9, 2019
- Permalink
It is an amateur grade movie with a poor script.. the actors are average but film is not interesting and with lots of cartoon scenes..
Some kids decide to stay overnight in some creepy old mental asylum and then...
"Wait", you say, "haven't I seen this a thousand times before?"
Yes, you have - but never as bad as this.
The only horror about this stinker is the total lack of any originality or creativity or talent you are going to witness.
In that way it works - the lack of any basic filmmaking skills is really horrific and will scare you for weeks to come.
"Wait", you say, "haven't I seen this a thousand times before?"
Yes, you have - but never as bad as this.
The only horror about this stinker is the total lack of any originality or creativity or talent you are going to witness.
In that way it works - the lack of any basic filmmaking skills is really horrific and will scare you for weeks to come.
- Shizuka2008
- Sep 9, 2019
- Permalink
Honestly...It would be difficult to find worse film than this one...absolutely no redeeming points...
- tchitouniaram
- Sep 20, 2019
- Permalink
- tuble_oliver
- Nov 3, 2019
- Permalink
They may call themselves actors but they stink. I mean I am game for cheezy horror but come on, man! There are times when the acting is descent and then times I wonder if I am watching a HS play. Who hired these people? Solid but overused story. Also the wig they put the main actress in was terrible.
- akd-974-774081
- Apr 23, 2020
- Permalink
- nogodnomasters
- Oct 21, 2019
- Permalink
Couldn't even watch the whole film. Bad acting and what's with the cartoon crap. If I want comic book crap I'll read a comic book. Movies with flashbacks should use real actors to portray the story.
I think what bothered me most was that a talent like Meg Foster had to submit to being in this awful film
Slasher films are always a lot of fun, but unfortunately for as many Halloween's, there are 10 Silent Night Deadly Night: Part 2's. What is so great about Investigation 13 is that it takes some strong and an out of the box film story telling techniques, IE found footage and even Flashback animation (Krumpus style) to take a already above average horror story up a couple levels, and that alone sets this one apart from some other fare you might find in the 2000s slasher market. Meg Foster gives a chilling performance, but also everyone else acts their heart out as well. It's these type of high quality films that put the South Florida film circuit back on the map. What could have been a lazy attempt, ended up being a great genre offering.
- TheMovieKing4
- Sep 9, 2019
- Permalink
One of the worst movies I've seen in a long time. The acting is super bad, these are not amateurs - these has to be just some random people with no experience or training whatsoever. The cartoon parts of the movie are beyond ridiculous, probably done by a toddler and voiceacted by some very basic speech synthesizer from Windows 3.1 era. I'll give it one extra star because the sounds very somewhat balanced so my neighbours didn't complain.
- RandomTard
- Jun 26, 2022
- Permalink
- littlelaura-08297
- Nov 21, 2022
- Permalink
Only cartoon part was bit good, because it shown some reality in story such as abuse, violence, cause of diseases that can start in childhood and family in form of bad childhood and abusive family. A bit hot modern girl maybe. But everything else is so fake, unclear, unreal, unexplained. No story. No details. No reality. Some shady dark evil characters and even picture from movie cover is not anywhere found in the movie, like in most bad movies. Not even completed. Could not understand anything, as some kids are learning how to record something.
Bad acting, bad skript, bad "effekts", bad story, bad asylum, bad direction, bad cartoon scenes, bad everything. I feel sorry for Meg Foster whose career seems to have taken a very dark turn.
- The_Swedish_Reviewer
- Jul 29, 2020
- Permalink
DVD costs 12.99. It doesn't seem that much but it will also cost you 1.5 hour of time. Don't get tricked into watching this, it's really terrible.
- neuroticpeacecorpse
- Oct 3, 2020
- Permalink
Cartoons! WTF! The cartoons completely take you out of the movie. The acting is terrible and the story has been done to death. Nothing original about this.
- davegould-04578
- Jul 25, 2021
- Permalink
... i wouldn't watch this movie. I love bad horror movies.... but there is bad and there is just an awful waste of time. I just rewound the part with Meg Foster over and over- who looks Incredibly Gorgeous in her 70's-more so than i ever found her in her younger years. Let her be an example of what a true honest beauty looks like - no horrible plastic surgery, no shame or apologies for wrinkles, no terrible example for our youth. Worth just seeing her face....
- ahoosparkle-73163
- Aug 23, 2022
- Permalink
"Investigation 13" takes very familiar tropes and somehow presents them with a fresh, entertaining newness. There isn't anything new or out-of-the-box in the story, you have a Haunt with a horrific past, a paranormal research group and the subsequent nightmare outcome. It has all been done. What de Lara has done is offer concise, smart technical awareness and a creativity in presentation. All that is old is new again.
Not to say "Investigation 13" is without fault. It's just that the things done right are so stark and compelling you somehow become uneffected by the flaws. The film starts out strong with a nice slice of horror that leaves a lingering question mark, and instant since of intrigue. The cast are great together and totally committed to these characters. It does feel a bit over rehearsed during the all important character introductory scenes meant to set the stage. Not that that is such a bad thing.
The acting is quality work and show some real talent. Not to mention the iconic presence of Meg Foster. A perfect choice of casting that automatically elevates "Investigation 13". Plus the story is as entertaining today as it is synonymous with paranormal activity horror stories. Like I stated earlier, it isn't untouched territory but it is a smart, thoughtful approach to story telling.
The film moves at a quick pace, and the horror is tight. There is suspense, energy and plenty of chilling atmosphere. And the death sequences are quality moments that remind me of films like "Saturday Morning Massacre" and "Grave Encounters". The real star points of the movie are the supernatural killer persona, the cinematography, and one hell of a music score. Overall I was thoroughly engaged in this move and completely entertained. Definitely watch this if you wanna see some quality indie horror.
Not to say "Investigation 13" is without fault. It's just that the things done right are so stark and compelling you somehow become uneffected by the flaws. The film starts out strong with a nice slice of horror that leaves a lingering question mark, and instant since of intrigue. The cast are great together and totally committed to these characters. It does feel a bit over rehearsed during the all important character introductory scenes meant to set the stage. Not that that is such a bad thing.
The acting is quality work and show some real talent. Not to mention the iconic presence of Meg Foster. A perfect choice of casting that automatically elevates "Investigation 13". Plus the story is as entertaining today as it is synonymous with paranormal activity horror stories. Like I stated earlier, it isn't untouched territory but it is a smart, thoughtful approach to story telling.
The film moves at a quick pace, and the horror is tight. There is suspense, energy and plenty of chilling atmosphere. And the death sequences are quality moments that remind me of films like "Saturday Morning Massacre" and "Grave Encounters". The real star points of the movie are the supernatural killer persona, the cinematography, and one hell of a music score. Overall I was thoroughly engaged in this move and completely entertained. Definitely watch this if you wanna see some quality indie horror.
- ASouthernHorrorFan
- Sep 22, 2019
- Permalink
I was actually quite impressed with Investigation 13. Very suspenseful and well done kept me on the edge of my seat...Plus Meg Foster definitely didnt disappoint. If you a true Horror Fan you should appreciate the great story telling and the way the whole move was put together as a whole.
- shodson-82821
- Sep 14, 2019
- Permalink
I saw this film at home on blu ray and I think it's great. I was entertained the entire time. The ghost/slasher/threat in this film is charismatic and believably scary. The sets are very believable as an abandoned hospital and the scenery is very grungy and worn out as you would expect such a setting to be, which reminds me very much of the boiler room in the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.
One thing that makes this film unique are the storybook sequences that show the childhood of the killer, they are very well drawn, animated and voiced. I really loved to see these storyboard sequences and let me tell you, it looks like a lot of work was out into these. This aspect is what makes the experience of watching this film very unique. The actor who plays The Mole Man does a great job and he is very scary. He is the embodiment of fear and torture, as an unbeatable and evil wraith in the vein of Freddy Kreuger and Jason Vorhees.
The other best part of the movie was the actress who played the character Melanie Gates. She has charisma and really stands out among the cast. She delivered her lines very well and convincingly. I could see her starring in a crime drama or tv show like CSI or something. It was a treat to see the actress Meg Foster appear in this one too. She gives off a very creepy vibe as the caretaker of the abandoned hospital. All in all, a great movie to watch late at night while eating a big bowl of popcorn and drinking some beer. I would watch it again! The cast and crew in general worked hard and it really shows! Watch this movie on a Friday or Saturday night and you won't regret it.
One thing that makes this film unique are the storybook sequences that show the childhood of the killer, they are very well drawn, animated and voiced. I really loved to see these storyboard sequences and let me tell you, it looks like a lot of work was out into these. This aspect is what makes the experience of watching this film very unique. The actor who plays The Mole Man does a great job and he is very scary. He is the embodiment of fear and torture, as an unbeatable and evil wraith in the vein of Freddy Kreuger and Jason Vorhees.
The other best part of the movie was the actress who played the character Melanie Gates. She has charisma and really stands out among the cast. She delivered her lines very well and convincingly. I could see her starring in a crime drama or tv show like CSI or something. It was a treat to see the actress Meg Foster appear in this one too. She gives off a very creepy vibe as the caretaker of the abandoned hospital. All in all, a great movie to watch late at night while eating a big bowl of popcorn and drinking some beer. I would watch it again! The cast and crew in general worked hard and it really shows! Watch this movie on a Friday or Saturday night and you won't regret it.