Soul Survivors (2001)
1h 24m | PG-13
A college freshman involved in a fatal car crash discovers she may not have survived after all when she becomes caught between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Director: Stephen Carpenter
Studio: Lost Soul Productions
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Video: 720p
Cast
Melissa Sagemiller
as Cassie
Wes Bentley
as Matt
Casey Affleck
as Sean
Eliza Dushku
as Annabel
Angela Featherstone
as Raven
Luke Wilson
as Jude
Reviews
***Moving ending, but dull protagonist and meh mystery about life & death*** A tragedy drastically changes the lives of four Chicago college students when one of them dies. “Soul Survivors” (2001) is a haunting mystery/drama with horror/thriller elements. It has the tone & setting of “Urban Legend” (1998), but without the slasher aspect. It’s also reminiscent in some ways of “An American Werewolf in Paris” (1997), albeit obviously omitting the lycanthropes. The production values are top-notch for the genre and era, but I found Melissa Sagemiller uninteresting as the protagonist. However, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck, Eliza (No Booty) Dushku and Angela Featherstone are all interesting. The problem is that the story isn’t compelling enough, although the climax is revelatory and moving. Speaking of which, the movie’s a mystery concerning life & death issues. It brings to mind a cult film from the early 60s, but I can’t say its name because I don’t want to give anything away. While “Soul Survivors” recalls that flick, it’s different enough to stand on its own. So even if you go in knowing it shares plot elements with that particular film it won’t ruin your viewing experience. The movie runs 1 hour, 24 minutes, and was shot in the Chicago area, including Evanston and the corresponding Northwestern University. GRADE: C