Director John Hancock scared film audiences in 1971 with LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH. More than 30 years later, he returns to the world of horror with SUSPENDED ANIMATION, a chilling and gruesome frightfest set in the snowy hills of Northern Michigan as well as the Hollywood hills of California. Alex McArthur stars as Tom Kempton, an award-winning movie animator who decides to get away from it all for a while with two friends, so off they go snowmobiling in the middle of nowhere. When Kempton has to go back for something, he gets waylaid by the crazy Boulette sisters, Vanessa (Laura Esterman) and Ann (Sage Allen), who have a habit of capturing, cooking, and eating strangers. Kempton eventually escapes, but that leads only to more trouble, as he becomes obsessed with finding out everything he can about the Boulette family, even tracking down a woman and her son--who just might be continuing the evil bloodline.
Hancock's taut psychological thriller is based on a novel written by his wife, actress Dorothy Tristan. The film combines elements of such classic films as DELIVERANCE, MISERY, and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, integrating plenty of blood and gore into the intense story. Angelo Badalamenti's entrancing score elevates the terror, with a surprise lurking around just about every corner. The film was produced on an extremely low budget and shot with a Sony Hi Definition camera by Hancock's own FilmAcres company.
Theatrical Release Date: October 31, 2003 (NY/LA)
DVD Features:
Region [unknown]
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Featurettes - 1. Behind-the-Scenes
Text/Image Galleries:
Photo Gallery
Director Biography
Director of Photography
Misha Suslov:
Review 1:
"...A sturdy, well-made piece....[Mr. Hancock] remains a fine director of actors, and Ms. Esterman, a gifted stage actress making a rare film appearance, delivers an eerily ambiguous performance..."
Source: New York Times
p.E17 10/31/2003
Review 2:
"...A bold and unqualified triumph....SUSPENDED ANIMATION is scary, stylish and compelling..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C14 10/31/2003