The Lazarus Project
(PG-13) For some violence, disturbing images and thematic material
It's pretty rare these days to find a good thriller without graphic scenes, over-the-top violence or horror. But The Lazarus Project is a film that manages to give a suspenseful fright without scarring you so much that you'll never sleep with the light off again. It even gets outside the box with an ending leaving you relieved and not scared to go upstairs alone.
With parole almost behind him, Ben (Paul Walker) can't believe how much he has to be thankful for: a beautiful wife, an adorable little girl and a steady paycheck. With a promotion on the near horizon, a background check turns his world upside down. Foolishly joining his brother (Shawn Hatosy) to get the quick pay check, their robbery leaves people dead and Ben facing the Texan justice system, lethal injection.
But his death sentence isn't quite what it seems. Ben regains consciousness in the small town of Mount Angel home to an eerie psychiatric hospital, where he is hired as the new groundskeeper.
Without the companionship and contact of his wife and daughter, his second chance at life isn't much of a life at all. Stalked by an alleged guardian angel, Ben is told that if he attempts to see his family, his 'god-given' second chance will be revoked. Ben must learn to accept his new life and let go of the past if he is to ever find happiness again.
The need to be with his family wears on him so much that he thinks people are watching him. Are they? Things he sees are signed off as hallucinations and he finds himself being treated with the same psychiatric help as those he is surrounded by.
Ben doesn't accept such a diagnosis and sets out to settle his confusion and make it back to his wife and daughter.
There are a couple of flashback scenes that may spook small children but nothing to be too concerned about.
