MovieChat Forums > The Collingswood Story (2002) Discussion > One of the best in the genre (SPOILERS)

One of the best in the genre (SPOILERS)

posted 10 years ago by Oblomov-2
4 replies | jump to latest

I have had the DVD for a few years but only got around to seeing the film for the first time a few nights ago. On the whole, I thought that it was very good, certainly more spooky than Paranormal Activity and better than several others of the same genre. The movie probably needs to be seen a few times to pick-up all the clues but based on what I saw and the discussion here, my own interpretation is as follows:

"Billy"- the deceptively loony friend who 'introduces' John to Vera Madeline was definitely an established and active cult member and behind the careful plan to trap John. The pumpkin carving was definitely a clue, considering the pumpkin was also seen behind Rebecca in the library scenes.

I don't think that Rebecca was in it from the start. It is just possible that Billy might have 'groomed' her into his beliefs unbeknown to John but I felt that it is more likely that she was ensnared gradually soon after going to Collingswood. She was certainly fully integrated by the time she went exploring in the attic of the abandoned house. Something like that is highly unusual for even the bravest and most sceptical of young women and this should have warned John.

Vera Madeline was just what she claims she was. A loopy but genuine on-line psychic who was used by Billy as a vehicle to draw John and Rebecca into the trap. Vera only realised what was happening after interacting with the two and genuinely tried to help both early on. Later she realised that Rebecca was already too far in to help and this reflects in the fact that she refused to speak to her the second time. But later Vera realised that it was John who was the actual victim but by then it was too late.

John's insecure and gullible personality is perhaps what led him to be picked as the next sacrificial victim. That and Billy's familiarity with John's house and habits point to that. Although it was Rebecca who called Vera first, it was only after John's request and so we can assume that he was spooked by it right from the start.

[–] gottfrid 8 years ago

I thought Rebecca died in the end as her face was shown so still. But maybe it was the low resolution of the version I saw.

"It doesnt matter what Bram Stoker has told you... dead people don't come back from their graves"

[–] mentalityx 8 years ago

John died sitting in his chair. Rebeccas grainy face was shown in the end but I don't know if she lived or died.

1-Luv

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] vilafire (609) 2 years ago

This makes the movie so much more interesting.

But why did Rebecca call the psychic the second time? Just to add fuel to the fire—to spook John more?

They should have shown a scene where Billy let himself into John’s while he was in the phone with Rebecca. Maybe a hint that Billy talked to Rebecca. Or a hint from the psychic that she never gave Billy a reading.

What really would have been nice is if John has to tell Rebecca that her stepfather died. Or her mother tells her. Just a small moment. Because if she her new bf is a ghost killer, why not kill the stepfather?

As much as I like you’re theory the movie was missing one or two more clues. But you may be right.