Writer/director Mj Dixon haunts audiences once more with Bannister Doll Heist. Thieves Rey (Angelique Taylor), Judith (Petrina Richardson), Frank (Philip Andrew Rogers), and Davis (Jack Granville) are hired by security guard James (William Marshall) to break into his workplace. Why? Because someone is willing to pay top money for one specific item locked up in the secure evidence locker storage unit. The gang’s goal is accomplished, though Frank’s reckless attitude caused needless death.
However, the robbers find themselves in even greater danger due to James’s greed. With only money in his eyes, the security guard opens the package to see what is worth so much, only to find a doll. Once the client, Kenneth (Christopher Morley), comes to collect, he loses his mind upon discovering the box opened. See, the doll was inhabited by the evil spirit of Molly Bannister (Tiana Rogers), Kenneth’s daughter. He wished to destroy the doll before it could kill more innocent people. But now, the unleashed malevolent being enters a different, bigger doll (Alex Bourne). Is escape possible, or is everyone in the storage locker doomed to die?
“…the unleashed malevolent being enters a different, bigger doll.”
Bannister DollHouse (a.k.a. The Haunting Of Molly Bannister) was a micro-budget triumph. Dixon made the house setting very creepy. The acting was decent. The ending was fantastic. So, how does Bannister Doll Heist stack up to that, much less versus the entire Mycho-verse? Very well. There is a higher body count this go round, and more fun is had with what Molly can do as an apparition. Admittedly, the atmosphere is not quite as creepy, but the focus on gore on top of the new skills of Molly makes for a fun, scary time.
Marshall overacts a bit, but the rest of the cast is solid. Taylor is sympathetic, and one hopes she survives. Richardson plays into the fear well. Rogers portrays an arrogant jackass with the right amount of swagger and undeserved confidence. Bourne’s body language makes for a creepy killer. Rogers is terrifying as the evil spirit wreaking havoc. Morley’s somber acting brings the film’s themes to life nicely and plays off the more caustic characters believably.
Bannister Doll Heist is an enjoyable and eerie experience. Dixon’s screenplay ups the ante from the previous film. His direction uses the unseen parts of the frame to enhance the scares. The cast is mostly quite good. And once again, the film ends on the perfect note.
Learn more at the official Bannister Doll Heist website.
"…an enjoyable and eerie experience."
