Urban legends and supernatural slashers have long been a staple of horror, but The Bell Keeper, directed by Colton Tran, struggles to summon anything beyond the familiar. With a premise that hints at The Evil Dead meets Final Destination, the film follows a group of friends venturing to a secluded campsite to film a documentary about a haunted bell. The legend? Ring it at midnight, and you’ll awaken a vengeful killer. What follows is a mix of ghostly folklore, possession horror, and slasher tropes, but the result never quite coalesces into a satisfying whole.

The film boasts an interesting cast, including UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and horror mainstay Bonnie Aarons, best known as the sinister nun from The Conjuring series. However, despite their genre credibility, their presence does little to elevate the script, which leans too heavily on exposition and underdeveloped character dynamics. The group’s descent into paranoia and infighting—key to the film’s horror—feels more obligatory than organic, leaving little emotional investment in their fates.

Visually, The Bell Keeper has moments of eerie atmosphere, with shadowed forests and flickering lanterns providing the requisite setting for a campfire horror tale. Unfortunately, the tension fizzles under the weight of generic jump scares and predictable plot beats. The titular Keeper, a hulking menace overseeing the cursed land, should have been an imposing figure, but the execution feels lacklustre.

There’s an attempt to blend supernatural horror with slasher brutality, but the film never leans far enough into either to make a lasting impression. The involvement of Final Destination creator Jeffrey Reddick as an executive producer suggests a promise of creative kills or unique horror set pieces, but these never materialise in any memorable way.

The Prognosis:

At its best, The Bell Keeper is a late-night curiosity for undemanding horror fans who enjoy the ritual of watching a group of victims fall prey to an ancient curse. At its worst, it’s a forgettable effort that rings hollow.

• Saul Muerte