SashaDarko
Very average low budget movie about Census Agency agent stuck in your typical American rural town with crazy locals keeping their secrets, where sheriff just says "we have our own laws here". This one has a permanent population number of 436, hence the title. The origins of the mystery behind it are explained poorly and sound absurd (also, what "wicked man"?). You get the feeling "I watched all these scenes somewhere already and know all these dialogues" while watching the movie, all the cliches and dumb decisions are there.What's the real mystery is how Fred Durst ended up here, who plays a deputy sheriff. It's actually his only role in the movie which he didn't direct himself (not counting TV series). I didn't know about his involvement with the production of this film and seeing him here was a surprise.It's an OK rental if you have nothing else to watch, it actually feels looks and feels like a TV movie. The orchestral soundtrack is pleasant to listen.
Raul Faust
First, I would like to complaint how bad it is to visibly copy stories from other movies, like this one did from "The Wicker Man" and "The Village". Even thought filmmakers added some new element to the story, the "436" thing, sadly it's NEVER developed. The movie ends and we don't know WHY they have only 436 inhabitants, WHO started with this thing or IF people know about that. Also, there is NEVER an engaging happening to make the spectator even care about what's happening-- I felt like sleeping after 20 minutes already. There is simply no tension, suspense or anything to fear while Mr. Cady passes by the village. Acting is the only thing that is not a mess-- but isn't great anyways, it's just acceptable. All in all, this is a really bad movie and I'm just mad at me for renting this.
neil-upto11
Until the last few minutes, this was a decent TV movie with a bit of depth. It borrowed from some worthy stories (Wicker Man, Stepford Wives, Body Snatchers and others) and developed a good narrative.The tale explored the horrors of cults and religions. It exposed the demented actions of such groups and the ignorant hysteria that they both create and thrive on. This whole metaphor worked effectively and impressively ... until the end. I'm afraid that the ending saw all that good work flushed away for the sake of a very predictable twilight-zone conclusion. I could've even enjoyed the silly ending if it hadn't completely undermined the entire thrust of the film.
sunznc
We've seen similar films before. Single person traveling alone ends up in small community where news travels fast of the new stranger. Townfolk watching in a conspirational manner. Everyone acting as though their town is the very best place to live. This film is a variation of that theme so it feels somewhat familiar. The acting is good and even though we may be able to figure out what is going to happen this is an effective little film. It's just enough tension to keep you interested and rooting for the hero. It is a bit disturbing to think about what is happening with some of the locals but not too gruesome or horrible. I would say the weakest part is probably the editing or how some scenes end rather abruptly.
AD
