The concept here is appealing...has merit...and there's certainly a lot of potential there.
However, this particular film is just way too poorly written to capitalize upon any of it.
Because, while they draw you in with a concept that is more or less intellectual.
They proceed to dumb things down way too much.
The premise here is simple: a young African-American woman is lured to a former plantation- with a dark and violent past- with the promise of a lucrative nannying position.
Only to find out that the house harbours a lot more than just a dark history.
With the rest of the film playing out a lot like if it was film from the Nun franchise.
With a bit of political commentary spun in.
There is no fault with the film's production value, or acting (which is competent enough).
The problem clearly lies with the writing.
It suffers from bad dialogue, and poor character development.
Tied in with a weak plot that messes with the flow of the film.
And takes away from the overall enjoyability of the storyline.
It's easy enough to understand what is going on - mainly because the "twist" brings things into perspective.
But the way it's laid out makes for a lackluster viewing experience.
Leaving you to feel like it was a bit of a missed oppourtunity.
I really thought this was going to be good after the first few minutes.
But didn't find it to be much more than "meh" by the end.
Though...it's not overtly awful, either.
Just very mediocre.
3.5 out of 10.