Dalton (Ty Simpkins) — the oldest child of feckless couple Josh and Renai Lambert (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) – falls into what doctors call an unexplained coma. It’s not.
Dalton doesn’t dream at night; he uses astral projection to visit The Further, a Stygian netherworld of dead souls and red-faced devils who, evidently, are big fans of Tiny Tim. Now poor Dalton is stuck there, and all manner of creepy-crawlies have been coming around his bedroom to try to take over his physical body.
Who shall rescue him? Dalton’s father, it seems, doesn’t know best, but Elise has a plan.
Along the way, a Catholic priest, Father Martin (John Henry Binder), makes an appearance for about as long as it takes to read this sentence. He offers no advice, tells hospitable Renai “Thanks for the tea,” and departs as Josh reminds his wife that she’s never been religious.
So this astral plane of tortured spirits is purely secular? Well, at least that approach keeps bad theology from being added to the mix.
The film contains fleeting crude and profane language and intense but nonviolent scenes involving children. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies.
