Film Review: The ‘Portal’ is Open and Ready to Thrill!

Come along and unleash an entertainingly fun, hair raising horror film!  The ‘Portal’ (2019) directed by Dean Alioto is open and ready to thrill. Written by Peter Dukes (Escape Room) and Dean Alioto (Shadowheart, Quarries) the director doesn’t disappoint in bringing together a very likable cast that are no strangers to the horror genre. Alioto brings together an entertaining and uncomplicated movie. On a light budget, the plot is showcased in a traditional narrative process and the cast’s delivery of the story helps bring a worth the watch experience.

Portal stars an amazing cast. Ryan Merriman (Steven), Jamie Tisdale (Cris), Myk Watford (Mason), including scream queen Heather Langenkamp (Fiona), Reinaldo Zavarce (Raz), Najarra Townsend (Jen), Courtney Nightingale (Jill), Gregory Zaragoza (Douglas) and Lindsay Seim (Lucy). This talented group of “souls” delivers the horror thrills, along with a bit of haunted humor, dare I say.

Time to get your “Ghost On” in ‘Portal.’ The story is based on paranormal investigative ambitions of ghosthunter (Steven) and his team of five ragtag “Ghostbusters.” They are total amateurs. They’re out to survive their season 1 program of failures and mishaps, in search of a Haunted House. The ghost hunters manage to purchase and “steal” a house location from their rival ghost hunters. On the road to the “Haunted House,” they meet a Native American man wearing a red “Make America Native Again” hat. He warns them, “The house doesn’t belong to anyone. People belong to it.” Oh yes, it gets better. No spoilers here.

The story develops with Steven and his girlfriend, who’s on the team in search of paranormal activities in a “Haunted House.” This is where they arrive at the haunted house, and they inadvertently open a PORTAL with a demonic entity. Let the Horror begin. Very enjoyable and comedic at times, yet, you are aware that this is not a big-budget film. No stunning special effects in this movie. But, the story and cast keep your attention. They also keep you wondering, what’s going to happen next? That’s a good thing to have in a movie.

The likable cast has such wonderful chemistry in this story. You will get caught up in their dreams of being a famous ghost hunting team. The question is, in their quest to find the right haunted house, do they find fame and fortune in the paranormal? Or does the house find them for keeps?  The 75 minutes of hauntingly amusing thrills fly by fast. Get your “haunting” on and watch ‘Portal.’ The movie was surprisingly enjoyable.