First off, I'll get the biggest issue out of the way: this film has nothing to do with the prior Amityville series of films, which are based around the demonic possession of the Amityville house (and later, objects from inside that house). It doesn't contain any themes around demonic possession or poltergeist activity. If that's what you're expecting from this film, then you'll likely be very disappointed.
Equally if you're looking for a so-bad-its-good hot mess like the glorious Amityville: The Evil Escapes, you'll also be sorely disappointed.
As another reviewer commented, the actual concept (asylum built on the site of the old Amityville house) isn't terrible in theory, but the execution is abysmal.
The pacing is way off. Nothing starts to happen until just after an hour has passed. And boy does that feel like a long hour. If you made/make it that far, then I would to take this opportunity to personally congratulate you!
The acting (with the exception of the psychiatrist running the asylum, played by Jared Morgan) is college standard at best. There is zero conviction in any of the other performances, and most of the time it feels as though the cast are reading their lines for the first time as they're being filmed.
It doesn't feel like they did a second take of ANY part of the film. Even where scenes are performed to an embarrassingly low standard.
The photography, however, is solid enough and there's some good use of practical effects in the final act. The score on the other hand, is pretty weak and fails to build any tension or atmosphere.
Overall, Amityville Asylum is a hard film to get through, with no pay off or reward for dragging yourself through to the end credits.
Equally if you're looking for a so-bad-its-good hot mess like the glorious Amityville: The Evil Escapes, you'll also be sorely disappointed.
As another reviewer commented, the actual concept (asylum built on the site of the old Amityville house) isn't terrible in theory, but the execution is abysmal.
The pacing is way off. Nothing starts to happen until just after an hour has passed. And boy does that feel like a long hour. If you made/make it that far, then I would to take this opportunity to personally congratulate you!
The acting (with the exception of the psychiatrist running the asylum, played by Jared Morgan) is college standard at best. There is zero conviction in any of the other performances, and most of the time it feels as though the cast are reading their lines for the first time as they're being filmed.
It doesn't feel like they did a second take of ANY part of the film. Even where scenes are performed to an embarrassingly low standard.
The photography, however, is solid enough and there's some good use of practical effects in the final act. The score on the other hand, is pretty weak and fails to build any tension or atmosphere.
Overall, Amityville Asylum is a hard film to get through, with no pay off or reward for dragging yourself through to the end credits.