Writer, director, producer Jake Kennedy has created a haunting and an intensively intrusive film that will stand still in time as forever frightening. With the help of a phenomenal, well-introduced cast, Penance’s subtle approach into this bleak disturbing world breaks the constant rut and regurgitation of what ill-tempered critics label this sort of film as “torture porn” in a form of written negativity. However from what I viewed, I can’t follow my fellow critics and label Penance as “torture porn“. Yes, Penance has its fill of half naked female strippers. Yes, it is chalked full of extremely graphic violence. Yes, it resembles in look and feel of that of Eli Roth’s Hostel films. Yet, I can’t call it torture porn. There in lies a meaningful point that Hostel films, and sometimes the SAW series, seem to lack with the sinister characters. Beyond the fulfillment of pleasure sought out of the humiliation, the whipping, the mutilation and, the eventual, murdering of these women, there holds a certain driven force that bounds the lead captor Geeves aka the Butcher of Baker.

The Reel Reviewer says this film ranks as “Premium Channel” worthy. The Cayon is good for some laughs and not many thrills; it is rated R for brief disturbing images aka one 4 second scene. Yeah, it is a very fine line between rated R and PG-13. There is a fine execution from first time feature director Richard Harrah with one or two strong characters but as far as storyline and unique characters or special effects there is really nothing new that can be taught to us or to entertain us. I’d suggest waiting until The Canyon makes its appearance from off the rental shelves and onto the premium channels like Cinemax or Showtime. This is a direct-to-DVD release, so it might not take long for it to hit the tube!

Truly frightening, Corbin Bernsen directs a social commentary film that does more than just speak of corrupt politics and government secrets; it speaks rationality in irrational terms. The budget horror thriller about “zombie-like” creatures that doesn’t rely on the gore or heavy effects but rather in still a fear of the unknown, isolation, seclusion, and a real world scenario. Its a different horror film that most fans will enjoy, especially with the high caliber, well established icons of the genre.