Within

Within is a gripping 2016 horror-thriller movie directed by Phil Claydon, featuring stellar performances from Michael Vartan, Erin Moriarty, and Nadine Velázquez. The movie's atmospheric horror elements and heart-pounding suspense prove that sometimes, the things we fear most aren't invading from some distant dimension but instead lurk closer to home.

The movie unfolds as a recently widowed father, John Alexander, played by the talented Michael Vartan, and his teenage daughter Hannah (Erin Moriarty of Marvel’s Jessica Jones franchise) move to a new house in search of a fresh start after the untimely death of their mother and wife. Nadine Velazquez also stars in the film playing the role of John's new love interest and potential stepmom to Hannah, named Melanie.

Within does an excellent job of building up a certain level of mystery and anticipation, setting the stage for the integral conflict in the plotline. The storyline intricately weaves the usual elements of family dynamics, teenage angst both at home and in high school, and new relationships with nerve-wracking horror and supernatural elements. From day one in their new home, things start to unfold in a creepy and mysterious manner. From misplaced items to strange noises in the dead of night, the duo starts to sense something sinister within their walls. The father-daughter pair soon realizes that they might not be the only inhabitants of the house.

A unique feature of this horror film is how it integrates real-world fears into the supernatural narrative. The viewers are not just witnessing the eeriness from a safe distance but also feel trapped within the house, alongside the main characters, taking the tactile experience of horror to another level.

Through sharp and splendidly unsettling cinematography, the director has managed to create an authentic horror ambiance. The house itself becomes an intrinsic part of the movie, with its creaky doors, dim lights, and perfectly crafted dark corners, trapping the viewer into its uncanny yet attractive ambience. The movie's score also amplifies the horror and suspense with its haunting tunes and mysterious beats.

Michael Vartan effortlessly captures the essence of a loving yet grief-stricken father, navigating through the complexities of raising a teenager single-handedly while also trying to deal with anomalies happening around him. Erin Moriarty immaculately portrays the character of Hannah, the teenager thrown into a world of terror in her own house while grappling with a loss and adjusting to a new school and potentially new mother. Nadine Velazquez, with her captivating on-screen charisma, infuses life into Melanie, a character caught amidst an uncanny reality and trying to hold the family together.

The director carefully builds the characters too, making the audience feel for their struggles, be it emotional or supernatural. The interplay of emotions and fear has been embodied into a functional family dynamic that expands into a broader narrative of uncertainties, tensions, and suspicions.

There is a brilliant mix of psychological thrills and chills as well. The lines between the reality and the supernatural get smudged throughout the narrative, playing tricks with the viewer's mind. The movie delivers not only in terms of giving goosebumps but also in engaging the audience with enough twists and turns, keeping them on the edge of their seats till the end.

In conclusion, Within is a highly engaging horror-thriller that plays with the expectation and perception of its audience. It is as much about dealing with unresolved grief and forming new relationships after a loss as it is about the horror elements lingering within the walls of their new home. It's a must-watch for not only horror fans but anyone who enjoys a complex and tense narrative draped in mystery and fear.