Ricci thriller 'The Gathering' coming to Region 1 DVD

Poor Christina Ricci. Years ago she was one of the most critically acclaimed actresses, and beloved sex symbols in America, and took an acclaimed turn as a lesbian in “Monster”; and then suddenly, nothing but downhill. Her infamous werewolf horror film “Cursed” went through years of production problems, re-shoots, and re-casting, only to premiere with horrible box-office, and utterly horrible reviews.

Then Ricci starred in the independently financed “The Gathering.” I remember reading about this religious horror film a few years ago in “Fangoria” magazine. Finally, after almost four years, the UK horror film (Held up for years, shelved, and kept back from distribution, but financed thanks to Ricci), “The Gathering” is coming to DVD here in the US on January 30th, thanks to Genius Products and The Weinstein Group. It’s a fate that marks yet another notch in the Ricci slump.

Directed by Brian Gilbert, Ricci stars as an American tourist attending the Glastonbury Music Festival. But when she’s hit by a car, she suffers amnesia, and hallucinations of terrifying strangers following her begin. From the familiar plot (ahem—“Carnival of Souls”), I suspect this is yet another take on the “Jacob’s Ladder” formula, but I imagine this will draw quite an audience.

Those who enjoy UK horror, have a love for direct-to-video fare, or just like to see Ricci run around, will take a fancy to the religious themed supernatural thriller starring Ricci, Ioan Gruffud, and “The Office” alum Mackenzie Crook.

Gather around and pre-order it here, and decide for yourselves if the fate was well deserved.