Habit (1997)
Review by Peter Syslo

HABIT is a very likeable independent film which tells the classic story of vampire seduction. This film is actually a remake of a 1982 version, by the same director, Larry Fessenden. I really enjoyed the picture; it’s hypnotic, in a way, because there is a high degree of realism to it and the actors are so natural in their roles that it almost feels like a documentary. Overall, the film has what many horror movies often lack – good character development, good writing, and a good build towards a climax. Although there is not a whole lot of horror-related action (not that I needed it), the film maintains the horror tone and atmosphere throughout and it is a well-made piece which doesn’t need to rely on flashy horror effects to drive the message home.

HABIT (2007) is written and directed by Larry Fessenden. It stars Larry Fessenden, Meredith Snaider, Aaron Beall, Patricia Coleman, Heather Woodbury, and Jesse Hartman.

The film opens with the main character, Sam (Fessenden), going to a Halloween party in NYC. While he is at the party, he encounters this really strange woman, Anna (Snaider), and he winds up leaving with her. The two don’t get together that night, but they meet up again a night or two later and they begin a very physical relationship which – yes - includes biting. After their first night together, Sam wakes up in Battery Park with a bloody lip but yet he still wants to continue seeing Anna. Basically, Sam is quite a drunk and he is a very wounded character – his father recently passed away, he recently separated from his girlfriend, and he has a history of cutting himself. Sam is pretty lost at this point in his life and as he keeps seeing Anna, he slowly starts drifting away from his friends and his life really spirals out of contr ol. All the while, he realizes that he actually feels sick – physically sick. He confides in his friend Nick (Beall) that every time he and Anna have sex, she bites him and drinks his blood. He also starts to notice that Anna never eats, drinks, goes to the bathroom, and never comes out in the daylight. Realizing that he really needs serious help, Sam finally tries to get away from Anna and that’s when things really hit the fan and his life becomes a nightmare.

HABIT is a very good film and it contains a lot of the elements of the traditional romantic vampire: the sexual attraction/seduction, the biting and blood drinking, the nighttime appearances, the dream appearances, and even the need to be invited in a home.

Fessenden really wove the vampire lore into a modern day retelling, which I felt really worked well. However, Fessenden’s deep, rich development of the Sam character truly is what made the film. Sam is so troubled and hurt, but yet he is so likeable – he is a downtrodden and devil-may-care drunk, but you want to see things work out for him. Almost like in a Lucky Mckee story, Sam’s likeability really enhances the power of the horror which falls upon him. Also, Fessenden’s acting is superb – he is a bit like a young Jack Nicholson, in a way, and he is just so comfortable and natural in this role that you can’t help but become invested in the film.

I tend to think of HABIT as more of an “old” horror film, like something from the 1930s or 1940s. It has that feel to it, where it takes its time telling the story and fleshing out the characters. I liked that and it is also reminiscent of modern films like GHOST STORY, where the emphasis lies simply on that – telling a good story. Fessenden and the rest of the actors created a likeable circle of friends and there is so much within this film, that I unfortunately can’t address it all here. There are many layers and meanings here, even within the title, HABIT – the whole picture is about “habits” or patterns that people fall into and some are more harmful than others.

Cutting to the chase: I liked HABIT, it was a very well-made and well-acted film. Also, the first scene takes place on Halloween night and I honestly have a special affinity for “Halloween”- themed films. There are a few details in the film, such as Anna being exposed in daylight at the end, that cause slight confusion and keep me from giving it a perfect score, but those are just minor things. It may not be for every horror fan, because it does rest heavily on the dramatic element and the deep development of the characters, but it does sort of lull you into a very safe area before dropping the horror into your lap. Those who are into gothic stories, hyper-realism like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, or who are into the traditional concept of the vampire may appreciate the film very much. The ho rror/vampire scenes are pretty compelling, from the animalistic sex and biting to Sam’s dream-like visions of an abandoned ship where the vampires lie in coffins – the dark atmosphere and foreboding tone are definitely there. In the end, just like in the traditional gothic/romantic stories and films, you are left feeling sad for our hero Sam, but you are glad that you got to know him throughout the film. I give HABIT a 9 out of 10.