Movie spotlight
The Crossmaker
Jerusalem, 1st century AD. Jewish carpenter Shimon is enslaved to make crosses for the Roman army which his fellow Jews will be crucified on. When an injured young rebel seeks a safe hiding place in his workshop, Shimon's conscience and loyalties are called into question, as he must decide whether to protect his family and accept the hold that the Romans have over him, or stand-up and try to change his situation.
Insights
Plot Summary
A group of strangers find themselves trapped in a mysterious house with a sadistic serial killer known as The Crossmaker. As they try to survive the night, they uncover dark secrets about the house and the killer's motives. The film escalates into a brutal game of cat and mouse.
Critical Reception
The Crossmaker received a mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences, with many pointing to its reliance on gratuitous violence and gore over substance. While some appreciated its low-budget intensity and the performances of its veteran cast, others found the plot thin and the horror elements repetitive.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its relentless gore and disturbing atmosphere.
Criticized for a predictable plot and lack of character development.
Michael Berryman's performance as the titular killer was noted by some reviewers.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available tend to align with critical sentiment, often highlighting the film's extreme violence and limited narrative complexity.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on a very limited budget, contributing to its raw and gritty aesthetic, a common trait in many independent horror productions of the era.
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