DVD Review: The Unborn

Beautiful, sensitive teen Casey (Odette Yustman) has recurring nightmares in which she’s tormented by a young boy who keeps saying, “Jumby wants to be born now.” That chilling intonation takes on added resonance after Casey seeks psychiatric help and, eventually, an exorcism. It turns out her family has been keeping secrets from her—secrets that involve Nazi experiments on Jewish captives at Auschwitz. Original and effective, The Unborn borrows a little bit from The Omen, The Exorcist and even Schindler’s List—a first of horror films. Veteran screenwriter and sometimes-director David S. Goyer’s provocative script probably attracted the distinguished supporting cast, which includes Gary Oldman, Jane Alexander, Carla Gugino and Idris Elba.

Shelf Talk: Teen-geared marketing efforts promoting the appearances of youthful favorites Yustman and co-stars Meagan Good and Cam Gigandet will yield results, but alerting mature renters to the presence of the older, more well-known players and Goyer’s unusual premise could draw some who would otherwise pass.