Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway

"Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway" is a spine-tingling addition to the "Bad Ben" series that continues to showcase the unflinching, engaging storytelling that the franchise is known for. Released in 2019, this movie continues to boast the expert touch of Nigel Bach in both his writing and directing and his performance as the renowned series' protagonist, Tom Riley. He is joined by Holly Barnes and Gary Bisignani, adding to the haunting mixture of humor and horror that fans of the series have come to love.

This delightfully chilling installment takes place along a supposedly haunted stretch of highway in rural Pennsylvania. Cursed by the tragic history of the region and its past occupants, this remote area, and the unsuspected road that cuts through it, becomes the ultimate and terrifying challenge for Tom Riley. Here begins an engrossing journey riddled with surprise twists and supernatural shocks: imprints of an ancient past, eerie occurrences, unexplained events, and a plethora of chilling phenomena that adds up to turn this ordinary highway into a haunted terrain.

Tom Riley, once again the main character, takes up a job as a ride-share driver, primarily using the ominously named road, known only as "Steelmanville Road". It's not long before he starts realizing the strange occurrences in each trip; each ride seems to be plagued with eerie incidents and the unsettling feeling of ghostly presences. With every supernatural encounter growing darker and more daunting than the previous, the more Tom gets drawn into the terrifying secrets surrounding the haunted track, risking not just his sanity but life as well.

The most impressive part of "Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway" is, arguably, its remarkable employment of simple yet effective techniques, conjuring up an atmospheric milieu of horror. With a found footage style that has been a signature aesthetic of the series, Bach employs a minimalist yet incredibly effective approach that heightens the tension and fear factor. Combined with an intelligent script, the film successfully crafts a menacing world where the supernatural brazenly toys with mundane reality.

The performances presented in "Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway" are absolutely compelling. Once again, Bach's performance as Tom Riley is outstanding. He presents a character whose engaging humor doesn't undermine the very real toll the events take on him. Holly Barnes and Gary Bisignani make for excellent counterparts. They provide critical supporting roles that elevate the nuances of the narrative and contribute to the increasingly unsettling atmosphere.

What makes "Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway” attractive to fans is the movie's ability to maintain its distinct identity while expanding the universe of the series. It takes what viewers know and love about the franchise and pushes it to new, exciting, and spine-chilling heights. Unlike some horror series wherein the premise gets worn out after just a few films, the Bad Ben series continues to surprise and terrify viewers while deepening the lore surrounding its main character.

Underneath the eerie atmospherics and fear-inducing sequences, however, the movie also manages to delve into thought-provoking themes of the past intersecting with the present, the influence of local folklore on the collective consciousness, and the sometimes-blurry line between sanity and the supernatural.

All things considered, "Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway" is an absolute treat for all avid fans of the horror genre and the Bad Ben series. It stands as evidence of the series’ unyielding capability to reinvent itself while staying true to its roots - a unique blending of fear, humor, and the curiously unexplainable. With an engaging storyline, impressive performances, and a creepy atmosphere, this movie keeps its audience on the edge of their seats, caught between laughter and heart-dropping scares. Unique in its approach but familiar in its execution, "Bad Ben 7: The Haunted Highway" is a worthwhile and unforgettable ride.