Pentagram Girl was written by Bryan Enk and David Robson and directed by Bryan Enk. Lissa Anne Sclar stars as Jenna Bouchard, a daughter who has inherited the skeletons in her father’s closet. In this case, the closet is a basement, and the skeleton is a demon. 

The performances vary from pretty good to genuinely good. There is a heightened and exaggerated element to most of these performances. Even when a character is acting normal the microexpressions sometimes add something a little cartoonish. The characters aren’t explored much. We’re introduced to the characters, some backstory is given, and then we’re nearly at the climax. There is exactly enough to understand who these characters are and what drives them. The character relationships feel spontaneous. Anytime a new angle in a relationship is introduced it hits out of nowhere. In context with everything else I don’t consider this a good or bad thing. I think it is somewhat fitting given the nature of how this tale is being told. The dialogue is ok and is very reflective of the performances.

The way Pentagram Girl is filmed and edited creates an over-the-top sense of reality. From the uncomfortable close-ups to the explosive edits, it is visually surreal. The lighting is great. There’s a conventionally gothic atmosphere that juxtaposes with its humorous mood. The humor is absurd and theatric. Its success largely stems from the quality of the performances. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The make-up looks great. The practical effects are decent. I commend them for using different shades of blood, but the viscosity is often innacurate. It’s easy to give no thought to it because the tone doesn’t suggest realism at any point. The CG blood is similar. I can’t be upset with its use in something this silly. Also, it’s genuinely good CG blood. I like the way the CG and practical blood are the same shade. That’s not always a given. Some people probably won’t even recognize it’s CG. 

Pentagram Girl is odd. It’s odd from the start, and it only gets more odd. I don’t feel as if it hits any other note quite as hard or as successfully. Like its humor, it is not for everyone, but if one is down for something out-of-the-box it may be a journey worth going on. 

7 out of 10