Tag Archives: Ali Larter

‘THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN’ (2024) A frightening tale based on true events and a stark warning for all

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relativity media logoTHE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN

The Man In The White Van poster

Filmmaker Warren Skeels brings a terrifying film based on events in 1970s Florida with THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN. Annie is the middle child in a family very much concerned with her becoming a proper young lady. She is more concerned with being validated in her indivisibility and perhaps the new boy in town. When she notices a white van following her around town, her family accuses her of making up stories.

The Man In The White Van 1The script has an underlying “Boy Who Cried Wolf” (but with a young girl at the center) while simultaneously reminding audiences to believe women. It is a clever mix. The film cuts back and forth in time, showing us glimpses of abductions of women and girls by the mostly faceless serial perpetrator. Years crank by forwards and backward in a creative transition of rusted numbers.

The score is jarring in the best way possible. Ominous closeups from inside the van make your skin crawl. Classic tropes work like gangbusters. Skeels slowly reveals more details of each abduction, building the intensity for an inevitable run-in with Annie.

The Man In The White Van 2Sean Astin and Ali Larter, playing Annie’s traditional parents, deliver pitch-perfect portrayals of the times. Brec Bassinger is fantastic as the eldest daughter, Margaret. Deemed the pretty people pleaser, her chemistry with Madison Wolfe solidifies the emotional stronghold of the family dynamic. Wolfe gives Annie all the vulnerability, pure innocence, and bravery we want from this character. She is endlessly fierce and a joy to watch. Wolfe owns the film.

The Man In The White Van 3There is no escaping the terror. It is a meticulously crafted script of anxiety-drenched moments. THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN is a film every parent needs to see, every husband who thinks his wife is being paranoid. It is a warning and a perfect example of gaslighting women experience daily. Stick around for the credits.

THE MAN IN THE WHITE VAN Trailer:

IN U.S. THEATERS FRIDAY DECEMBER 13th

Directed and Co-written by: Warren Skeels

Starring: Madison Wolfe, Brec Bassinger, Skai Jackson, Ali Larter, and Sean Astin

BASED ON A TRUE STORY.

In 1975 Florida, a series of violent disappearances go unnoticed, and young Annie (Madison Wolfe) is targeted by an ominous white van that stalks her every move. As the menace escalates, her parents dismiss her fears, and Annie is soon plunged into a terrifying nightmare that shatters her world.

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Review: Experience a Mother’s Worst Nightmare in ‘The Diabolical’

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This Friday comes a smart and unique horror story of a single mother’s own hellish reality. Thanks to XLrator Media and the directing of Alistair Lengrand, their film The Diabolical will keep you guessing all the way up to the final act. For those of you who are struggling in finding a decent horror film, this one may be worth the watch.

It all began with Madison (Ali Larter) sitting alone on her laptop; her two children, Jacob (Max Rose) and Haley (Chloe Perrin) asleep upstairs. The lights begin to flicker and the pictures on the wall begin to shake. “Not again,” she says. Suddenly a flash of light appears in the doorway where a bloody grotesque being comes crawling out towards her. She backs up and repeats to herself “It’s not real. It’s not real.” Another flash of light appears and the creature is gone. Madison then collects herself, sits back down in her seat and continues on with her night. This opening scene is a big reason why this film is different from your typical horror flick. The story begins with the paranormal phenomena as a pre-existing condition in the characters lives, which actually brings a really interesting side to Madison, Jacob and Haley’s characterization over the course of the film. The film continues on with the small family not only struggling with paranormal disturbances, but also Jacob’s violent behaviour in school and potential foreclosure on their house. After realizing that no one can help her situation, the strong and independent mother takes these problems into her own hands.

Ali Larter gave a solid performance as a protective mother of two. Her co-actors, Chloe Perrin, Max Rose, and Arjun Gupta, who played her son’s science tutor, Nikolai, all had equally as impressive performances. The Diabolical isn’t the greatest horror film of the year, however it is definitely different enough and interesting enough to check out. If you find yourself interested in science fictional side of horror you can find The Diabolical in theaters, VOD and iTunes on October 16th. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rdKYbCPfYc