Success can come down to a few things these days. Who you know can oftentimes help you get into a job or open the door to huge opportunities. At other times, that success can come from years of hard work and learning, all while proving what you can do. Even just being at the right place at the right time, or possibly even the wrong time, can be all you need. Look at the band Sevendust. They were discovered by accident by a music scout winding up at the wrong location they happened to be playing at. Any way you look at it, success can come in different ways.

When you look at music and movies, there are many cases of success that came from different paths. As I mentioned before, Sevendust was an accident. AFI used to be a punk band, not finding huge success until they changed styles and started catching regular play on the radio and in music videos. Charlize Theron was found by accident in a bank arguing with a teller. Then you have others like Angelina Jolie, who got into acting through family with her father being Jon Voight of acting fame in movies like Deliverance. The point is: everyone’s path is different.

Normally this is where I would try to tell you things I liked about The Summoned. All I can really say is that the concept and idea was interesting more so than its execution. I wasn’t fond of any real part of this film. The story was presented kind of bland and flat. I am not sure if they tried to make this a slow burn film or if it just ended up coming across that way. A couple goes to a retreat with a therapist and other acquaintances to resolve issues. All the guests are successful in their related fields of music, writing, and acting - except for the main character. He just runs a mechanic shop after a failed music career. From there you can pretty much figure it out. Everyone makes underhanded comments and does things to screw with him mentally and emotionally. Anyone can see where this is heading.

Some films ultimately fall short for one reason or another. Either this was the product of bad direction or maybe it just wasn’t the film for me. A combination of slow pacing and predictability made it a chore for me to get through. To top it off, with today’s state of mental health awareness, the portrayal of the therapist, who everyone was there to see, didn’t do any favors for anyone or the profession. Sure, it is just a movie and work of fiction, but I wish it could have been more entertaining. With a Faustian style story, one could have done this story in multiple ways and presentations. Was it the victim of not knowing how to present the material? Did it fall short due to lackluster and emotionless acting? Not sure on either. As much as I enjoy a good psychological thriller, this happened to not even make that list.

Rorschach Rating:

Mental Health Moment: There are professionals out there for almost anything these days. In the case of mental health, there are plenty to choose from, from counselors to therapists and doctors. There is someone for everyone and every need. You may not like the first one you meet, but sometimes part of the journey is finding the right one for you.

If you or someone you know is reading this right now and struggling with suicide, depression, addiction, or self-harm - please reach out. Comment, message, or tweet at us. Go to victimsandvillains.net/hope for more resources. Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or 1-800-273-8255. Text "HELP" to 741-741. There is hope & you DO have so much value and worth!

Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. The Summoned is property of XYZ Films. We do not own nor claim any rights.

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