From 'Malevolence' to 'Bereavement': Two Stevan Mena Films

Horror movie fanatics expressed great excitement when it was announced that Stevan Mena, the mastermind behind the 2004 film "Malevolence," would be coming back with a prequel, "Bereavement." This movie takes the audience back to Martin Bristol's childhood where, in 1989, he is living with his murderous captor inside of an abandoned slaughterhouse. While "Bereavement" is definitely a continuation of "Malevolence," there are some key differences.

Cinematography

One of the most noticeable things about "Malevolence" is the care taken with every scene. Audiences loved that this movie didn't seem like just another mass-produced slasher flick, but instead found interesting angles to shoot from. "Bereavement" is no exception to the cinematic excellence of Stevan Mena. You'll still find yourself captivated not only by the story line, but by the beautiful shots and skillful camera work, something that is missing in many popular Hollywood films today.

Acting

It sounds weird but "Malevolence," while made in 2004, seems older than it actually is. To me it looked like it was shot in the '90s, and the acting suggested the same. While the actors did a great job of portraying their horror and making decisions that seemed more genuine than the common, "Oh my God, I see you, now I'm just going to scream," there were times when you definitely knew you were watching someone acting. However, the 2011, "Bereavement" makes it a lot less noticeable and kicks up the acting to a new level.

Gore Level

It seems that Mena has made a directorial choice with both movies: these films will grab you and not let go until the fright fest is over. That said, both films are rather gory, with "Malevolence" probably topping "Bereavement." The latter seems more fear and energy based than "Malevolence," but both bring on the horror full throttle.

Not for the light-hearted, these are true horror films. It's a refreshing change from the many campy and slightly comedic horror films that are in the multiplexes today. Mena set out to create a film that is seriously scary and provokes a mood that can't be shaken.