In his directorial debut, Adam Robitel (“Insidious: The Last Key”) delivered a potent found-footage-style supernatural horror film in 2014 that returns in the high-definition disc format through a special release for fans in The Taking of Deborah Logan: 10 Year Anniversary Edition (HorrorPack, not rated, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, 90 minutes, $29.99).
Filmmakers infused a look at a terrifying neural disease in a story about medical student Mia Hu (Michelle Ang) making a documentary about Alzheimer’s patient Deborah Logan (Jill Larson) and her daughter Sarah (Anne Ramsay) in a small town in Virginia.
Ms. Hu and her crew chronicle for roughly two months the progression of Ms. Logan’s disease and her horrifying decline until it becomes obvious to everyone that Alzheimer’s is the least of the elderly woman’s problems.
The faux authenticity level of the documented action, down to time-coded surveillance footage, medical professional interviews and shaky camera coverage of events, mixed with the eventual haunted-house creepiness, jump scares and paranormal elements tied to a spiritual parasite make for a frightening experience.
However, the gutsy performance of Ms. Larson carries the movie with the roughly 67-year-old actress at the time unafraid to throw herself into a role that required an exhaustive performance with extreme physical behavior and makeup effects. She really propels the movie into an uncomfortable, disquieting and unforgettable horror classic.
The screen-filling high-definition transfer offers the necessary clarity to appreciate the details clouded in many dark and frantic scenes, but it is also too clear for viewers to have to stomach some of the shocking and grotesque moments.
Best extras: For those unaware, HorrorPack is roughly a 10-year-old mystery subscription box service that delivers four horror movie titles on the disc every month to hard-core fans of the genre to own starting at $32.99 per month.
Its celebratory rerelease of “The Taking of Deborah Logan” is the company’s first exclusive of a popular film to include new digital goodies, available in its October pack and is now only found for purchase on its HorrorPacks’ web store.
As for those extras, HorrorPack first gets most of the gang back together for an optional commentary track featuring Mr. Robitel, Ms. Larson, Ms. Ramsay (via Zoom), co-writer Gavin Heffernan, and executive producer Dana Guerin.
The nostalgic journey provides a fantastic set of memories for fans with the director usually leading the line of topics and questions.
They discuss the story; casting sessions; the relationship between the mother and daughter; the surveillance footage idea borrowed from “Paranormal Activity,” a very student film kind of vibe; the crew being frightened at points; shooting in cold weather; and turning a medical documentary into a monster movie.
A banter between Ms. Larson and Ms. Ramsay also stands out as they talk about working through the characters.
The commentary is as collaborative as the filmmaking and worth a listen.
Next, viewers get solo interviews with key members of the team.
First, the underdressed and unassuming Mr. Robitel, wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts (he obviously forgot that the interview was being filmed and not an audio interview), offers nearly an informative half hour on the production.
The grateful director touches on the film’s genesis (we could get rich making a cheap found footage movie); its transformative pacing; the story (slightly autobiographical based on Mr. Robitel’s grandmother); influences including “The Blair Witch Project”; the horror of Altheimer’s; Netflix viewers embracing the film; using strong female characters; being a first-time director; challenges on the set; co-writing the script for more than a year; and Ms. Larson’s disturbing performance.
Next, and most welcomed, is a 22-minute interview with Ms. Larson quickly admitting that she can relate to being possessed. She discusses some of the special-effects scenes, her nude moments, the chance as an actress to be completely untethered with her wild performance and the legacy of the film.
Co-writer Gavin Heffernan then offers 16 minutes on building the script with Mr. Robitel, the pacing of the editing as the story evolves, defining the film’s genre, script changes during the shooting, making it as real as possible before the madness, the circus-like feel on the set (looking for loose snakes) and the resiliency of Ms. Larson.
Then, ebullient executive producer Dana Guerin gets 10 minutes to explain how the film was locked in part of a bankruptcy case with a former distributor for years until it was finally released for its fifth anniversary and is very happy to still be talking about one of her favorite projects.
Finally, an alternate opening is available with too much of Deborah’s darker side revealed quickly, and it was a good idea not to use it.
The package offers a slipcover of original illustrated art limited to 1,000 copies and featuring Ms. Logan looking as ominous as ever.
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