The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) Horror Movie Buddy Review

Who says you’re ever too old for sleepovers with your BFF?? September 1st marked Scream and I’s 26th Friendiversary and we still enjoy having slumber parties with horror movies and junk food just as much as we did when we were little kids. Only now, we fall asleep way earlier and tend to enjoy fancy cocktails and cheese instead of candy and “up all night drinks” (aka: sugar-fueled-throw-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-in-there-abominations). I suspect that even when we’re old and grey, this will continue to be the case. Who knows? Maybe by that point we’ll level up yet again and instead of cocktails and assorted cheeses it will be Ensure and hard candies? That is, of course, if we’re lucky enough to be normal old biddies and not too busy having the more sinister sort of “senior moments” that take place in The Taking of Deborah Logan. (Yeah, I bet you thought that intro was going nowhere at first, didn’t ya?) 😉

The Taking of Deborah Logan is a found-footage movie that follows a group of college students making a documentary about the daily life of a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease. This brings them to the home of the recently-diagnosed Deborah Logan and her daughter Sarah who is newly stepping into the role of caretaker with her mother’s worsening condition, all while still trying to make ends meet. It doesn’t take long for Deborah’s mind and overall health to begin a rapid downward spiral as she loses more and more of herself to the disease . . . or at least that’s how it initially seems. However, it soon becomes very apparent that something far more malevolent may be afoot as unexplained occurrences and increasingly violent episodes begin to pile up.

Aaaand since any images/gifs from this movie venture FAR too much into Spoilet Territory, we’re just going to feature baby animal gifs instead, so enjoy! 😀

1. Sooo, what was your overall opinion of the movie?

SCREAM: Honestly, for the most part, I really enjoyed it. It had an excellent creep factor that I don’t feel like you get much anymore. This could be an unfair comment though because I don’t scare very easily. :3

SUGAR: I agree 100%. It definitely brought the creep factor and I didn’t feel like I was watching just another generic “are they possessed or aren’t they?” kind of flick with this one.

2. What did you think of main actress Jill Larson’s performance as the titular Deborah Logan?

SCREAM: That lady CAN GET IT. The way she could morph from sweet and motherly, to a shrieking banshee deserves some awards. I would like to see half of the Hollywood’s A list actors attempt to do what she did.

SUGAR: Absolutely! She’s got some serious acting range. The amount of subtle menace that woman can put into even just a quiet stare was truly something to behold.

3. If you were part of the film crew making the documentary about the mom, when things start to escalate, would you have stuck around to finish the documentary or would you have said “fuck this” and left?

SCREAM: Oh definitely would have said, “Fuck this noise! I’m out!” Then I would have moon walked my way out the door.

SUGAR: Haha probably the wisest decision given the circumstances. 😛

4. Without major spoilers, what did you think when they revealed what was really going on?

SCREAM: I was pretty surprised actually. I thought it was just going to be a basic possession story, but they added a lot of surprising elements. I’m pretty sure I said out loud at one point, “What the fuck?!”

SUGAR: Same. I loved the different angle this movie was coming from. After finally sitting down and watching the movie, I can definitely see why so many people had previously been buzzing about it.

Mwahaha! Release da spider bbz! This was a horror movie post, you can’t expect us NOT to include some creepy shit!

5. Would you watch this movie again? And would you recommend it to others?

SCREAM: I’m not sure it’s a movie that demands a rewatch. If it was on and I was feeling lazy, I might give it a go again. It’s not one that in a year that I’m going to go, “Damn, I need to watch that again.” I think part of the reason is, when you’ve seen all the reveals, what is left that is worth coming back for? (I’ll answer my own question with, that lady’s acting.)

SUGAR: Yeah, as much as I really enjoyed the movie, it isn’t one I necessarily would have a huge urge to watch again either. Maybe if I was watching it with someone who hadn’t seen it yet, then I might make an exception, because it would be fun to watch their reaction. >:) So, yes, if you haven’t seen it yet, check it out!

Have you seen this movie? What were YOUR thoughts on it?