Trace aka Straight From Hell (2015) -  A Familiar Haunting with Spotty Execution

'Trace' is a supernatural (I won't say 'horror' as there really isn't much that's particularly 'horrific' contained within the runtime!) film about electronic voice phenomena (EVP), where a group of generic and not particularly memorable musicians dabble in capturing spirits on tape. Unfortunately, their experimentation takes a dark turn, accidentally opening a demonic gateway and unleashing terror.

The premise doesn't offer anything new and you're probably better off watching 'Flatliners' from whenever the hell that was released.  The idea of using technology to bridge the veil between worlds has potential, but here it doesn't offer we haven't seen before.  However, 'Trace' relies heavily on familiar horror tropes. We get the expected jump scares, shadowy figures, and characters making questionable decisions in the face of danger.

While not entirely original, 'Trace' has decent enough actors and the plot doesn't drag (too much!). The practical effects used for the demonic entity are just about okay and not too computer generated, but they're nothing that you haven't seen done better around the year 2000 in either 'The Ring' or 'The Grudge.'

Sadly, the script doesn't quite deliver. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, and their motivations feel underdeveloped. The reliance on clichés can be predictable for seasoned horror viewers.  You end up getting one hell of a middle-of-the-road experience that doesn't offer a long-term horror viewer anything new.

If you find this on a streaming service (and haven't seen many horror films) it'll give you a quick supernatural fix with a unique technological twist, but horror aficionados might find it a bit predictable.

5/10 You can watch this film while you're doing the ironing (you'll still get the general gist of it)