The Premonition Reviews

An intriguing low-budget independent production shot in Mississippi, THE PREMONITION is a throwback to the Val Lewton school of horror, relying on mood and atmosphere rather than outright visceral shock. Sheri Bennett (Sharon Farrell from IT'S ALIVE) is the foster mother of a young girl (Danielle Brisebois) whose real mother, the insane Andrea (Ellen Barber), is intent on regaining custody. Tracking her daughter down at school, Andrea tries to make contact with her, but Sheri arrives and whisks the child away. While Sheri begins having terrible premonitions, Andrea and her friend, Jude (Richard Lynch), a scary carnival clown, plan to kidnap the girl. Blessed with a strong cast--especially Farrell and Lynch--and an excellent use of location, THE PREMONITION is an effectively creepy film which successfully preys on very real fears (the loss of a child) without exploiting the situation for cheap thrills. At times talky and a bit slow-moving, the film nonetheless builds tension steadily and contains several unforgettably eerie scenes.