My Soul to Take (2010)

My Soul to Take has the kind of pulpy, midnight-movie hook that only a horror veteran like Wes Craven would dare to play straight: a small town still haunted by a vanished killer, and a group of teens whose birthday suddenly feels like a countdown. It leans into an earnest, old-school spooky vibe—part slasher, part mystery—where the fun comes from watching suspicion ricochet through friendships while the film keeps slipping new possibilities under the door. The concept is genuinely intriguing, and when the twists land, they give the story a mischievous jolt that makes it easy to keep watching even when you think you’ve guessed it. It’s not for everyone—if you want slick, prestige horror you may notice the rough edges—but if you’re in the mood for an entertaining, twisty Craven curio, it’s a surprisingly good time.

My Soul to Take wants to mash up a teen slasher with a mystery hook about fate and reincarnation, and on paper that’s a solid Wes Craven-style pitch. In practice, it plays like a checklist of familiar horror beats with thin characters and a plot that feels more tangled than clever, so the suspense rarely builds into real dread. The kills and atmosphere are surprisingly tame for the premise, leaving a lot of dead air where you’re waiting for the movie to finally snap into gear. If you’re a Craven completist or you enjoy early-2010s, PG-13-ish teen horror comfort food, you might get some mileage; if you want sharp writing, fresh scares, or anything close to his best work, this one will likely feel like a waste of your time.