It's Coming (film)
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| It's Coming | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Shannon Alexander |
| Produced by | Shannon Alexander |
| Cinematography | Shannon Alexander |
| Edited by | Shannon Alexander |
Production company | Early Autumn |
| Distributed by | Freestyle Releasing |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
It's Coming is a 2023 American documentary film directed by Shannon Alexander that investigates the unexplained phenomena experienced by Ashley Roland-White and her five children in their New York City home. The film documents the family's encounters with unexplained supernatural and paranormal entities and their attempts to understand these occurrences.
Background
[edit]The documentary originated when director Shannon Alexander was conducting research for a project about people with various sleep disorders. During this process, she randomly encountered Ashley Roland-White and discovered her family's story, which became the focus of the film.
Production
[edit]Principal photography took place over six months in New York City in 2022, with Shannon Alexander serving as director, producer, cinematographer, and editor. The film combines interviews, on-site investigation footage, and documentation of unexplained events within the home.[1]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at Hot Docs International Documentary Festival on April 29, 2023.[2] It later screened at Abertoir: The International Horror Festival of Wales. Freestyle Digital Media, part of Freestyle Releasing, acquired distribution rights to the film[3] and released it digitally in the United States on November 12, 2024.
Reception
[edit]The documentary received positive reviews from critics for its methodical approach and intimate portrayal. Writing for At Home In Hollywood, Lisa Johnson Mandell praised how "Alexander takes a refreshingly balanced approach" and noted that "It's Coming succeeds not by trying to convince viewers of the existence of the paranormal, but by presenting an honest portrait of a family living with what they believe to be supernatural phenomena."[4]
Kate DeJonge of Grimoire of Horror highlighted the film's cultural depth, writing that "Alexander thoughtfully explores this key component, asking Ashley direct questions about why being Black makes it harder to ask for spiritual help. She candidly discusses the stigmas involved, making a solid case for her reluctance without discussing racism."[5]
Sun Coast News critic Lee Clark Zumpe described the documentary as "mesmerizing," emphasizing that "The very fact that he doesn't appear to inject uncanny elements makes the documentary more disquieting — and, in some ways, more credible." Zumpe praised how "Throughout the film, curious anomalies are captured on video or audio. The director doesn't underscore any of these as evidence: A few occurrences are repeated in slow-motion, but Alexander wisely declines to state emphatically that he has managed to capture evidence of the supernatural. Instead, he puts the footage in front of the viewer, obliging them to make that determination."[6]
Staci Lynn Wilson of Women In Horror commended how "Alexander's direction strikes the perfect balance between skepticism and sympathy, creating a documentary that is as much about breaking stigmas as it is about breaking curses," adding that "what makes this documentary genuinely creepy is how Alexander frames the everyday domestic sphere as a battlefield between maternal instinct and malevolent forces."[7]
The Toronto Guardian's Michelle Ormsby noted how the film "broaches topics of intersectionality, generational trauma, spirituality and stigma," concluding that "This unique documentary is unlike any other and will leave you questioning how reliable your senses are in detecting the supernatural forces at play around you."[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Exclusive: It's Coming Trailer Previews Horror Documentary Movie". ComingSoon.net. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Hot Docs Festival Celebrates 30th Edition With Focus on Celebrating Indigenous Stories". Variety. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Freestyle Acquires Paranormal Horror Doc 'It's Coming'". Horror Society. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Lisa Johnson Mandell (2024-11-06). "It's Coming Review: Paranormal Doc". At Home In Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Kate DeJonge (2024-11-07). "It's Coming (2023) Film Review - A True Mother's Nightmare". Grimoire of Horror. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Lee Clark Zumpe (2024-11-22). "Movie Review: It's Coming". Sun Coast News. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Staci Lynn Wilson (2024-11-06). "It's Coming Movie Review". Women In Horror. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Michelle Ormsby (2023-05-17). "It's Coming: Poltergeists Beware". Toronto Guardian. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
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