An employee for the census bureau discovers something quite sinister underneath the homey, folksy atmosphere of Rockwell Falls which has a community of people all speaking as one collective unit with smiles wide. We see that anyone who might oppose the town's ways, however, are considered "feverish" and must be cured by Dr. Greaver(David Ames). The bureau man is Steve(Jeremy Sisto)and along the way he befriends Deputy Bobby(Fred Durst, not bad)who is quite sure that the lovely Courtney(Charlotte Sullivan)will marry him. But, Courtney secretly wishes to leave Rockwell Falls and begins a romance with Steve that can prove critical to their survival as the very religious town keeps all eyes on the "visitor". Many of the townsfolk already include Steve as one of their citizens and soon he'll discover one of Doc Greaver's "patients" is a normal girl named Amanda(Reva Timbers)whose father dies tragically at the opening of the film because he wished to leave Rockwell Falls. The township believe that anyone who remains in Rockwell Falls overnight will never leave because God wouldn't allow it. Somehow, Steve will have to find a way out of this madhouse also trying to play hero by saving Amanda & Courtney as well.
Plays best as an extended Twilight Zone episode..certainly has that vibe. I think it has a problem of what it wants to be, though. It seems to play for a while as a paranoia thriller where people who go within a town have a hard time escaping. Then if anyone who attempts to go against the town's principles, will face being lobotomized by Greaver as being sick. Yet, there's a twist that offers a supernatural aspect regarding Steve being able to escape that just didn't wash with me. But, that twist merely backs up a claim by the crazed citizens of Doc Greaver's "paradise." Disturbing and at times effectively creepy with a good performance from Sisto as the unfortunate Steve.
Plays best as an extended Twilight Zone episode..certainly has that vibe. I think it has a problem of what it wants to be, though. It seems to play for a while as a paranoia thriller where people who go within a town have a hard time escaping. Then if anyone who attempts to go against the town's principles, will face being lobotomized by Greaver as being sick. Yet, there's a twist that offers a supernatural aspect regarding Steve being able to escape that just didn't wash with me. But, that twist merely backs up a claim by the crazed citizens of Doc Greaver's "paradise." Disturbing and at times effectively creepy with a good performance from Sisto as the unfortunate Steve.