[Demdike@Cult Labs]

The Return (2006)

Joanna Mills (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a traveling sales rep, begins having nightmares of a murder that occurred 15 years ago. Visiting her father back in Texas, she is soon drawn to an old farmhouse, where the murder took place.

Sarah Michelle Gellar hasn't always made the right choices when it comes to films since her star making role as tv's Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Her output has either been excellent - I Know What You Did Last Summer or trite rom com slush. The Return is definitely one of her better choices. Set in the outer reaches of Texas, The Return is a subtle take on the supernatural thriller. Out go the sudden jump scares and loud crashes of music and in come intrigue and mystery, and more importantly character and even a Hitchcockian type aura to proceedings.

The acting from Gellar and former Neighbours star Peter O' Brien is uniformly excellent, moody and reflective. We also have a nice cameo from Sam Shepard as Gellars father. The characters are all allowed some time to breathe and to gain a little chemistry between them although thankfully not in a romantic comedy sense.. The direction from Asif Kapadia is superb. Even though events unfold quite slowly, Kapadia holds the viewers interest with consummate ease and even wows us with some beautifully artistic cinematography, allowing the landscapes a character of their own.

Because of its measured pace and lack of crash bang wallop The Return isn't a film you'd want to watch at all times. However it is a film that treats the viewer as an adult and with respect, for these reasons all concerned should be applauded.