HR manager Marcy enters work hungover, only to witness an ex-colleague she had fired days earlier carry out a workplace shooting. Placed on leave and overwhelmed, Marcy heads for California to see her sister and stops off at the Bright Hill Road Boarding House on the route. At the boarding house, Marcy begins to see and hear things she cannot account for. This intensifies as second guest Owen (Michael Erkland), an unsavory character, checks in and can also hear the voices. As unresolved actions from her past are unearthed, Marcy is badgered to divulge her confessions by a stoic Mrs. Inman (Argam Darshi) the innkeeper. Marcy attempts to leave but a strange force prevents her from physically doing so, but is it real, the alcohol or withdrawal as she battles to stop drinking.
After some soul searching it is revealed to Marcy, that the boarding house is purgatory and those present are paying penance for their wrongdoings. Only through confession and accountability can she gain resolution. The film begins intensely as the shooter makes his way around the office. However, it slows down considerably after Marcy (Siobhan Williams) checks into the boarding house. Marcy’s time at the boarding house is repetitive and drawn out, however, the repetitiveness and drunkard hazes cut from flashes of conversations from her past capture the loop Marcy is trapped within, it does feel very long and repetitive and this is the nature of addiction. With a simple premise, Bright Hill Road is a horror that is contemplative and reflective. Fundamentally, everyone must hold themselves accountable for their actions to grow and evolve.
Movie Rating: 3 stars.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)