Reviews: Anything for Jackson (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Demons
Subgenres: Featured Supernatural, Possession, Supernatural, Back from the Dead, Cult, Cursed, Haunted, Pregnancy, Satanic
Our review of Anything for Jackson (2020) dives into the story, the scares, and whether it truly delivers the horror fans crave.
Anything for Jackson (2020) is an unsettling supernatural horror film that blends themes of grief, desperation, and demonic possession into a chilling and unique narrative. Directed by Justin G. Dyck, known primarily for his work in holiday movies, this film is a stark departure from his previous works. It follows an elderly couple, Audrey and Henry Walsh, played by Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings, who, devastated by the loss of their grandson, resort to extreme and horrifying measures to bring him back. Their plan involves performing a reverse exorcism by summoning his spirit into an unborn child, but as expected, dabbling in the occult comes with terrifying consequences.
Anything for Jackson (2020) – A Haunting Take on Grief and Demonic Horror
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The film takes a fresh approach to demonic horror by introducing protagonists who are not malicious in nature but instead are grieving grandparents willing to do anything to bring back their lost grandson. Their misguided attempt at necromantic resurrection involves kidnapping a pregnant woman, Shannon (played by Konstantina Mantelos), and using her unborn child as a vessel for Jackson’s spirit. However, their ritual goes terribly wrong, and they inadvertently invite a host of other supernatural entities, leading to a nightmarish sequence of hauntings and possessions.
What makes Anything for Jackson compelling is its deep emotional core. At its heart, this is a story about grief, obsession, and the moral compromises people are willing to make when they cannot accept loss. Instead of following a typical horror formula, the film focuses on the gradual unraveling of Henry and Audrey’s sanity as they face the consequences of meddling with forces beyond their control. Their love for Jackson is tragically twisted, turning them into willing servants of something far more sinister than they anticipated.
The characters are well-developed, particularly Audrey and Henry, who are not portrayed as purely evil but as deeply sorrowful individuals whose pain clouds their judgment. Their dynamic is both heartbreaking and disturbing, as they wrestle with the horrors they’ve unleashed while still clinging to their hope of bringing Jackson back.
Acting and Cinematography
Sheila McCarthy and Julian Richings deliver powerhouse performances that elevate the film beyond standard supernatural horror fare. Their chemistry as a grieving yet increasingly desperate couple makes them sympathetic, even as they commit atrocious acts. McCarthy’s portrayal of Audrey captures the fragility and underlying horror of a woman who believes she’s doing the right thing, while Richings’ Henry provides a fascinating contrast—he is methodical yet increasingly terrified by the evil they’ve invited into their home.
Konstantina Mantelos as Shannon brings a raw, believable terror to her performance. As the pregnant victim, she embodies the audience’s fear, making her plight all the more disturbing. The supporting cast, including Josh Cruddas as an eerie Satanist, enhances the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
Visually, Anything for Jackson employs a muted color palette and slow, creeping cinematography to build an oppressive sense of dread. The film masterfully utilizes eerie, surreal imagery, particularly in its portrayal of demonic entities that appear in nightmarish, jarring sequences. One particularly haunting image involves a ghostly contortionist figure that will likely stick with viewers long after the credits roll.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Justin G. Dyck’s direction is a revelation, proving that he has a natural talent for horror. His ability to maintain suspense, blend psychological terror with supernatural elements, and keep the audience engaged makes this film stand out in the crowded supernatural horror genre. The slow-burn approach works well, allowing tension to build steadily before culminating in a series of unnerving, chaotic moments.
The film’s biggest strengths lie in its unsettling atmosphere and unique premise. The idea of a “reverse exorcism” is fresh, and the emotional weight behind the story makes the horror all the more effective. The blend of psychological torment and supernatural horror results in a deeply disturbing experience that feels both intimate and terrifying.
However, Anything for Jackson isn’t without flaws. The pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the second act, where some of the horror sequences feel slightly repetitive. While the film does an excellent job of maintaining an ominous tone, it might not satisfy viewers looking for a more fast-paced or jump-scare-heavy horror experience. Some elements of the Satanic lore could have been explored in greater detail, as certain aspects of the plot remain ambiguous by the end.
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
Anything for Jackson is a uniquely unsettling horror film that combines grief, possession, and psychological terror in a way that feels fresh and deeply disturbing. It excels in atmosphere, performances, and storytelling, making it a must-watch for fans of slow-burn horror. While it stumbles slightly with pacing and ambiguity, its originality and emotional weight make it a standout in the supernatural horror genre.
Similar films like Anything for Jackson can be found in demon movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like Anything for Jackson.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Anything for Jackson Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 7.37/10
- IMDB: 6.3/10
- MetaCritic: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9.7/10
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