So much average

Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Yet another movie seemingly created for the sole purpose of insulting the viewer's intelligence.Follows the standard revenge flick formula with some spectacularly unrealistic scenes, jaw-droppingly stupid characters and plot holes large enough to swallow the Murray-Darling basin.The film initially shows promise with its metatext of pubescent erotica, polygamous sex and Freudian longings, but lacking proper development these elements became increasingly irrelevant and ultimately fail to satisfy.I rate 'Hurt' at 9.99 on the Haglee Scale, which works out as a solid 3/10 on IMDb.

Hurt is the classic story of a somewhat dysfunctional family taking in a new young member and from that point, things go wrong. Several movies have followed this basic formula but what makes Hurt slightly special is that director Barbara Stepansky wraps this film in drama and mystery. Just what is going on in this family, who is responsible for what?Unfortunately, Stepansky's attempts to hold out on us are only frustrating, as the "revelations" that come later are not satisfying or surprising to us. As for the dramatic side of this story, I appreciated the attempt but the direction, writing and cast were poor enough that it was impossible to be emotionally involved in his mess.I still applaud the attempt to mix a traditional horror/thriller Hollywood plot with an indie drama. Some of the shots were nice and the soundtrack (not the film score) was interesting and provided some mood. But in the end, this film is a mess.

Barbara Stepanksky directed & co-wrote this little thriller with Alison Lee Bingeham. They wisely took plot developments from a few older familiar film PLUS a character from the classic. THE BAD SEED.The cast is consists mainly of 5 people, mainly they are from various Television & cable shows. It is almost a large one set film,(A near deserted auto Junk yard.)A recent widowed women, a late-teen aged son & daughter. This three-some move in with her quirky brother (owner of the junk yard ). these 4 nice people are trying to cope when a 13 year old young girl enters there lives..As I said above,. BAD SEED time again.The cast consists of Melora Walters, William Mapother, Jackson Rathbone,Joanna Bradley & Sofia Vassiliva. All 5 are first rate.It is a well done minor b-movie, Since there are no explosions or naked scenes It was released direct to DVD.I think this film deserved a better fate. See it & I think you will agree.Ratings: *** (out of 4) 87 points (out of 100) IMDb 8( Out of 10)

Widowed mother and her family movie in with her brother in law and his salvage yard. They also take in a troubled foster child. Family secrets and other nastiness set in motion some not so pleasant events.Well made but not particularly compelling story is the sort of thing that you've seen before. Both the bits and pieces and the central plot seem to have been recycled from other better films. My dislike for the film is neither the cast nor the craft of the film, rather its the plot which spins out in all sorts of directions in the hope of creating some reason to watch the proceedings. I really can't think of one, especially when odds are that you're going to be way ahead of the characters as to whats going on. Take a pass.