Although, in the local release, the movie’s title could more accurately be translated as Heritage or By Inheritance, Reincarnation fits the meaning better.
I must say, Toni Collette is perfect for horror film roles. There’s a strange beauty in her that borders on ugliness or, at the very least, something mysteriously unsettling. And this beauty smoothly transitions into terror the moment she shows any emotion that’s not cheerful. Yes, even when she’s not trying, her mannerisms and appearance perfectly fit the mood of any horror movie. She played the role of the mother of the boy who saw dead people in The Sixth Sense wonderfully. I also recall a couple of other dark dramas and thrillers she’s been in. So, casting her as the mother in Reincarnation was a great choice.
All the other actors are great too. Alex Wolff – gloomy, handsome – a “tall and dark prince” – and sensitive like all teenagers. His performance is excellent. Millie Shapiro is truly a genius, even without mentioning her appearance. She has that type of face that makes even a child look like an adult. It’s a face that is both beautiful and, at the same time, frightening, but not in the same way as Toni Collette’s. Millie has huge, haunting blue eyes with a very strange shape and incredible arched eyebrows that match the eerie eyes. She’s very talented, and given her unusual looks, I foresee her starring in very interesting and colorful films in the future. The father (Gabriel Byrne) is also quite a juicy character. He looks sweet and unfortunate.
The film begins slowly, but once it gains momentum, it speeds up rapidly. After another death (I won’t spoil all the secrets), the plot unfolds like an avalanche rolling down a mountain. It’s impossible to look away, and the best part is that it’s completely unclear what’s really going on. This is one of those films where everything is clarified in the last couple of minutes.
The film is honestly scary. Not scarier than Paranormal Activity, but on the scare scale, it certainly holds a strong nine out of ten. I highly recommend it to those who love to be scared. But I wouldn’t suggest watching it alone. Even for someone who’s seasoned with horror films, I found it a bit unsettling to fall asleep afterward.