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Some rural smalltown, Florida, 1977: Young Annie (Madison Wolfe) sure hasn't got it easy - for one, she's 15, and 15 year olds never have it easy. Plus, she's a middle child, constantly heckled by her older sister Margaret (Brec Bassinger), while her little brother Daniel (Gavin Warren) constantly takes advantage of her big heart, while her parents (Ali Larter, Sean Astin) mistake her desire for a bit of attention and her tomboyish attitude for a rebellious streak. And then there's Mark (Noah Lomax), the new boy in school, whom she has fallen head over heels in love with but whom she's too timid to talk to, even if her best friend Patty (Skai Jackson) pretty much tries to push her twards him time and again. And then she notices she*s being followed - by a white van that pops up time and again at her family's vast property, at her school, on her way home from school and whatnot. She tries to tell her parents, but they thing she's just making things up for attention, and of course she cannot explain why she feels threatened by the white van - if it even exists that is. But her hunch is 100% correct though, as over the years, several teenaged girls have disappeared, and a white van, the same white van, was involved every time. But still, so far the van, or rather its driver, has done nothing to actually justify her fear apart from being a bit creepy - but then, when she and Patty ride home from a party on horseback, the van follows them, drives them off the street, and when they flee in different directions, it follows Annie and makes her horse throw her off. And now Annie knows for sure she has to fight for her life ...

Now there's something you don't se every day, a coming-of-age story full of high school shenanigans, sibling rivalry, first love, misunderstandings with the parents, and even a horse thrown in for good measure - and this is all poured into the framework of a slasher movie. And what sounds like a silly idea at first glance actually turns out to be a pretty ingenious move, as for one it gives the slasher formula more depth, and secondly all the coming-of-age mainstays get more urgency through the added suspence. And thanks to a horror-savvy directorial effort and a very grounded, solid ensemble, this has turned out to be a very cool genre ride.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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