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Writer's pictureTravis Brown

AFF 24: "The Fetch" - movie review


Dark folklore and family grief collide in the supernatural horror of The Fetch.
The Fetch delves into dark folklore and family grief, blending supernatural terror with intense emotional dread.

One constant in horror today is that monsters come in all shapes and sizes—they could be your father, your grandmother, or even something more artificial. In The Fetch, J.C. Doler takes us on a dark journey where human vulnerability meets supernatural terror. With next week’s election looming, it may seem like dread is in the air, but it’s nothing compared to the fear that grips this film’s protagonist.


You may wonder, “What exactly is a ‘fetch,’ and have I heard of it before?” If you’re familiar with global folklore, you may recognize this eerie entity—a creature from dark tales of mourning, grief, and despair. In The Fetch, the creature embodies profound sorrow, creating a family drama infused with J-horror elements that make it as disturbing as it is frightening. From the first scene, the film is chilling and unrelenting.


For any parent, The Fetch may be difficult to watch. The idea of a sinister force feeding off grief and despair touches on a universal nightmare. The film’s strength lies in the detailed, bleak world inhabited by its lead, Logan Donovan. The haunting atmosphere recalls films like Noroi: The Curse (2005), a standout in horror that The Fetch matches in emotional intensity.


Aleska Palladino as Charlie and Robert Longstreet as Beaumont deliver memorable performances that add depth, particularly Longstreet’s Beaumont, whose eerie mannerisms add a fascinating layer to the story. His presence brings a captivating dynamic that contrasts with Nicholas’s (Donovan) tortured journey.


The Fetch aims to unsettle, making it an engaging thriller. While some doppelgänger tropes may feel familiar, The Fetch distinguishes itself by focusing intensely on family dynamics and the fragile bonds that grief can shatter or twist.


Rating: 3/5


Directed by: J.C. Doler

Produced By: Logan Donovan, Alexander Jeffery, Paul Petersen, Brittany Fallow, Chris Alan Evans, J.C. Doler


Starring: Logan Donovan, Robert Longstreet, Aleksa Paladino, Tripp Toupal




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