This is another simple film from John Langridge who gets the most for his dollar in low budget features.

Billy (Jacob Anderton) has been skimming money from the family business. Unfortunately, it is a crime family that is unforgiving. Frank (Kevin Leslie) and Terry (Morgan James) have the task of taking him out in the forest in order to kill and bury him. While out there, they are warned by an indigenous not to do the task or else face the consequences.

They face the bizarre consequences.

This was an enjoyable feature with good characters and dialogue. The camera work and soundtrack were very effective in creating a mood. The ending was not what I expected.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

This movie is listed as a horror mystery, which was essentially why I took the time to sit down and watch it. I had not even heard about this 2019 movie prior to finding myself to come across it by sheer random chance in 2020.

I had no expectations to the movie, as I knew nothing about it. So writer and director John Langridge had every opportunity to impress and bedazzle me.

Turns out that this movie was a massive swing and a miss in terms of it being entertaining and enjoyable for me. I think I managed somewhere around 30 minutes into it, then I just gave up. The storyline was utter rubbish, and it was quite far from being even remotely horror related. This was more like a poor man's gangster movie.

I am rating "13 Graves" two out of ten stars, solely because there was some quality to the production of the movie. But as for the storyline, the acting and the overall appeal of the movie, this was not worth the time or effort.

This is not a movie I have any intention of returning to finish, as it was unfathomably boring and stupid.

13 Graves is an underdeveloped film. Not all its ideas are entirely formed. The movie remains an enjoyable waste of time though.

John Langridge, the writer and director, gives the audience a good twist on a ghost story. When a gangster's son tries to cheat her out of a deal, she doles out her justice... She has her henchmen take him into the woods... and not for a picnic. Luckily for him, these woods are not strictly natural. For one thing, the mobsters use them for their graveyard.

Roaming this woodland is a hulk of a woodsman. Could the woodsman be guilty of digging up the executed or is something sinister responsible?

Imagine walking through the foliage shadowed land. You hear a noise. Is an animal nearby or is somebody stalking you? This unease is what you should feel throughout the movie. However, the creepiness is lacking in the film. This is a major disappointment since it's a horror flick.

Langridge doesn't lack the skill to create atmosphere. He easily builds excitement and works in a few comedic elements. He has the talent, he just doesn't utilise it completely.

The ambience isn't the only thing not wholly implemented. When one of the cold-blooded-killers gets chased through the woods, it would have been great to watch the chase. However, he falls into the building his mate's in, rolls over, and say's, "There's something out there!" This is a wasted occasion to create the missing creepiness.

The cast is great. Everyone gives their best, and their expertise is clear. They raise the film out of its directorial and pacing predicaments. They don't make the picture great, but they keep it watchable.

Morgan James as the hitman Terry looks tough, a guy you wouldn't mess with. But he does a great sarcastic face. Terry's the one who adds most of the humour.

Terri Dwyer as the mob boss Maddy is perfect. She's cool, collected, and intelligent. But her cruel ruthlessness is what you'll remember. When she confronts her son about his deceit, you know you wouldn't her for your mother.

Maddy's treacherous son, Billy, is admirably portrayed by Jacob Anderton. He's great at portraying a con artist, always thinking and scheming. It may be these traits that keep him alive.

Even Michael McKenn who plays Maddy's dead husband Len gives a powerful performance. Though he says little, he has the right bearing for a mob boss. Whenever he's on-screen, you envisage a man of power. A man of influence and authority.

This film isn't the best it could be, and the ending is confusing, however, it's still worth one viewing. If you like gangster films or ghost stories, give the movie a look-see. If you don't, then I'd suggest leaving this film alone. Especially since better movies are available to watch first.

Ratings: Story 1.25 : Direction 0.75 : Pace 0.75 : Acting 1.5 : Enjoyment 1 : Total 5.25 / 10

Scarper across to my Absolute Horror list and check where this un-creepy ghost story got planted in my ratings.

Take Care and Stay Well.