Step into the darkness, my fellow horror aficionados, for a deep dive into a film that took me completely by surprise and has nestled itself comfortably amongst my favorite modern frights: 2020’s ‘Anything for Jackson’. We’ve all seen our fair share of demonic possession films. The shaky cam, the contorting bodies, the guttural screams – it’s a tried and true formula. But Justin G. Dyck’s directorial effort, penned by Keith R. Thomas, doesn’t just dabble in the familiar; it gleefully tears it apart and rebuilds it into something profoundly unique, deeply unsettling, and unexpectedly, hilariously, *human*.

At its core, ‘Anything for Jackson’ isn’t about a demon possessing a vulnerable teenager. It’s about two elderly grandparents, Evelyn (Sheila McCarthy) and Henry ( a phenomenal veteran, the late Doug Bradley), who are consumed by a grief so profound it cracks the very foundations of their reality. Their grandson, Jackson, has died, and in their agonizing desperation, they perform a ritual to bring him back. What they get instead is a vengeful spirit, and the real terror begins not with external evil, but with the internal breakdown of a family unit already fractured by loss. This isn’t about a demon infecting a body; it’s about two people so desperate to fill a void that they invite something monstrous into their lives, and the truly horrifying part is how relatable their initial misguided intent feels.

What elevates ‘Anything for Jackson’ beyond its premise is its masterful blend of suffocating dread and genuine, often morbid, humor. This isn’t slapstick; it’s the dark, twisted laughter that bubbles up when faced with the absurdly tragic. Evelyn and Henry’s dynamic is the beating heart of this film. Their bickering, their unwavering love for each other and their lost grandson, even as they are engulfed by supernatural forces, is both heartbreaking and darkly comedic. Sheila McCarthy delivers a performance that is nuanced and powerful, portraying a woman driven to the brink by grief, while Doug Bradley’s portrayal of Henry grounds the film with a quiet stoicism that makes their desperate actions all the more potent. The film doesn’t shy away from the grotesque, but it imbues it with a sense of earned emotion, making the scares feel more visceral because we care so deeply about the characters experiencing them.

The filmmaking craft here is superb, especially considering its independent roots. Dyck and his team create an atmosphere that is palpable. The secluded, slightly run-down house becomes a character in itself, its creaking floors and flickering lights amplifying the mounting tension. The practical effects are genuinely unsettling, opting for a more tactile and disturbing kind of horror rather than relying solely on CGI. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the suffocating dread to build, and when the supernatural elements truly kick in, they are delivered with a raw, visceral impact. It’s a testament to the filmmakers’ skill that they can weave such a tight, effective horror narrative while simultaneously exploring themes of love, loss, and the lengths people will go to when faced with unbearable grief. The film respects its audience enough to know that true horror often lies in the emotional devastation as much as the gore.

If you love this, you’ll love…

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014): This found-footage film masterfully blends a gripping narrative about a woman’s mysterious illness with escalating, terrifying supernatural elements, showcasing a similar descent into madness driven by personal circumstances.
Hereditary (2018): For fans who appreciate horror that delves into deep-seated family trauma and grief, ‘Hereditary’ offers a suffocating atmosphere and a profound sense of despair that resonates long after the credits roll.
The Babadook (2014): This critically acclaimed film uses a monstrous entity as a metaphor for grief and depression, creating a deeply personal and psychologically unsettling horror experience that shares ‘Anything for Jackson’s’ emotional depth.

Where to Watch Right Now

‘Anything for Jackson’ is available for streaming on **Shudder** in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. You can also find it on **AMC+** in the US.