Witchcraft has been explored in film for decades. Interpretations of those that practise magic have ranged from the wicked to the wholesome; magic has been portrayed as a blessing and a curse. With so many established ideas about witches, it can be hard for filmmakers to find a new method of telling their stories. Director Terence Krey may have found one such way in his latest venture, Summoners.
In 2020, Krey’s An Unquiet Grave captured audiences’ imaginations and Summoners is set to do the same. Whereas An Unquiet Grave heavily leaned into horror conventions, Summoners plays more into the indie drama arena. This is a film that, despite its magical elements, conforms closer to the lost grown-up reconnecting with their hometown and younger self narrative.
After high school and the death of her mother, Jess (Christine Nyland) fled her home and never looked back. One day though, she has an overwhelming drive to return and so she arrives on the doorstep of her father (played by Larry Fessenden). Whilst in town she reconnects with her former friend, Alana (McLean Peterson). The two were not ordinary friends, they were also part of a coven together. Having left her magic behind when she moved away, Jess hasn’t practised in years. Alana on the other hand has continued her work and soon convinces Jess to dabble again.
Casting again, fires up Jess’ mojo, she gets her groove back and finds herself able to finally approach some of her repressed emotions. Having been crippled by guilt around her mothers death, her new found confidence forces her to confront her demons. Whilst dealing with them, Jess also finds herself the target of an actual demon, thanks to helping Alana with a very powerful spell. There are good intentions behind this magic, but once summoned the entity doesn’t want to go back to where it came from. The motivation behind the spell being pure separates Summoners from almost all of its peers. The women might be performing powerful and dangerous magic, but there is no malice behind the casting. This manoeuvre somehow builds into the validity of Summoners, the magic is kept practical, reinforcing the dramatic beats.
With much of the focus being based around relationships and resolving old feelings, Summoners is a very intimate and quiet film. The lack of distraction allows the viewer to connect with Jess and Alana. These women are two sides of the same coin. Both are weighed down by guilt and frustration, and both initially view the other as having the perfect life. Alana resents Jess for leaving her behind and Jess hates how together Alana seems. Through events in the story they realise that perhaps they’re more similar than they first thought and their relationship deepens.
What Krey, Nyland, and Peterson capture beautifully are those friendships that don’t end or fade, they merely pause. The types of people you might not see for ten or more years, but upon meeting again, immediately pick up where you left off. This is exactly the dynamic that Jess and Alana possess and their ease with one another sells the willingness of Jess to help Alana even after years spent apart. It’s still something of a rarity within film to see female friendship explored in such a way and makes Summoners worth seeking out even if you’re not into all its hocus pocus aspects.
A subdued indie drama that keeps its witchcraft strictly business, Summoners offers a different approach to spell casters. Summoners is about confronting your demons, forgiving yourself and those that have done us harm, and despite its horror lineage, is quite sweet and tender. Very different to An Unquiet Grave, Summoners demonstrates another side to Krey’s abilities, one that will hopefully bear more fruit.
Summoners
Summary
A character driven study of modern witchcraft, Summoners places focus on the human condition, making it all the more magical.
Summoners was reviewed at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
