The initial premise of the film is so familiar it risks being cliche’. Real estate developer Joan Huntar, played by Kristen Anne Ferraro (She Came From The Woods, A Couple Pros) wishes to develop the land currently occupied by a summer camp that might as well be called Camp Crystal Lake. Presenting her proposal to the town council, Huntar meets with vehement opposition in the form of Carl Turner, played by Judd Hirsch (Taxi, A Beautiful Mind).
Hirsch’s entry into the council meeting is reminiscent of Quindt’s introduction in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”. That similarity and the tie-in to the horror classic “Friday The 13th” prompted me to ask writer Wolf about the homage paid to classic horror IP’s in the film. Wolf replied, “I wanted to make a film that, while set in the modern day, pays tribute to all these great films. You’ll see references to films like Friday the 13th and others.”
Sam Jones eventually contacts Mike Renfield, played by writer Eric Wolf, who is one of his foremen and will lead the excavation team clearing the site so that building can commence. Renfield, whose name and character are an homage to the classic Bram Stroker character, is an “off his rocker” blue collar character whose main interests are drinking beer and working his back loader. His impatient and nagging wife, Wanda, is played by Lori Petty (A League of Their Own, Tank Girl). Wolf and Petty have terrific chemistry together and watching them onscreen was reminiscent of watching Al and Peg Bundy; if Al and Peg had gone completely off their gourd.
For the rest of the second and most of the third acts, the movie continues on as an enjoyable slasher flick. I was prepared to sit back and enjoy a variation on a theme that I have enjoyed for many decades. However, without giving away the unfolding plot and unexpected twist at the end, the movie introduces new elements while the action unfolds. These new elements coalesce into a final 15 minutes that answers 
All in all, this movie is both entertaining and well done. While not as polished as what you might expect from a large studio; it is incredibly well acted, produced and directed for an independent film. This is a film that I would purchase to watch again and again. There are rough edges, most notably the soundtrack and some of the digital work, but nothing so rough that it takes away from your enjoyment of the film. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of the genre.
A Deadly Legend is available to stream or download in general release staring July 24, 2020 and you can find information about the film and where it is being released on ADeadlyLegend.com.
Writing – 4.3 of 5 Stars
Acting – 4 of 5 Stars
Directing – 4.5 of 5 Stars
Music – 3.2 of 5 Stars
Sound – 3.5 of 5 Stars
Cinematography – 4.5 of 5 Stars
Overall – 4 of 5 Stars
Cast and Crew
Director – Pamela Moriarty
Writer – Eric Wolf
Wanda Pearson – Lori Petty
Matthias Leary – Corbin Bernsen
Carl Turner – Judd Hirsch
Joan Huntar – Kristen Anne Ferraro
Tina Jones – Summer Moore
Mike Renfield – Eric Wolf
Sam Jones – Dwayne Thomas
Connor Huntar – John Pope
Krissy Huntar – Andy Buccheri
Eva Chan/Chain Witch – Jean Tree
Amy Jones – Daniella DeCaro
Author Profile
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Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.
He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.
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