Case 39

Case 39 is one of those films that had a lot going for it and could have been special. In the end though, it is a film that really doesn't have much to it and it struggles with a lot of elements and eventually turns into a disappointing horror film that is very dry and not very interesting.

The film is about a social worker named Emily (Renee Zellweger) who is investigating a case about a little girl named Lillith (Jodelle Ferland) who might be being abused by her mother. As times goes on, Emily lets Lillith stay at her house and then things starting to get out of hand with the disappearance of things and killing with the whole film being Emily trying to figure what is going on with Lillith.

The only thing that really works is the acting. Renee Zellweger and supporting character actor Brad Cooper both are excellent and make a good team. Jodelle Ferland is creepy as Lillith but she is also a pretty dry and dull character and it is very hard to like her at times.

The main problem with the film is that it doesn't go anywhere. It is almost the same thing in every act and it also has a bad ending. The ending at first looks like it is going to be worthwhile and turn out to be something but it really doesn't do much and is uninteresting and is not right way to close this film.

Aside from the cast, the killing scenes are the other highlight of this movie. They are original and put together well but like a lot of films, there is not enough explanation as to why they occur. The computer generated imagery here also appears a little sub-par.

Case 39 is a really flat horror movie that has something to it but just does not develop the ideas or tell the story very well. I cannot  recommend this movie; not even for a rainy night.

2/5