Starring James Franco, Taryn Manning, Francesca Eastwood, Scott Haze

Directed by Dan Bush

Three siblings raid a bank – but the security guards are the least of their worries…

Even before interviewing writer/director/editor Dan Bush about his latest movie, I had guessed that this came out of a desire to mash classic heist movies with horror (read the piece here in which he talks about the specific movies and image from which this derived, although be warned there are some minor spoilers). It begins with a very familiar situation – the robbers getting into position in the bank, then starting to carry out their plan – but then things start to go south when they are told about the contents of the vault. Well, told about some of the contents of the vault anyway. Other bits they – and we as audience – discover as the movie progresses.

Bush ramps up the tension, playing off the warped relationship between the two sisters and their brother, with strong performances from Taryn Manning, Francesca Eastwood and Scott Haze. Clifton Collins has a slightly thankless role as a detective outside the building, but that’s more because we spend most of our time within the bank itself… where the robbers encounter James Franco’s helpful staff member. Franco’s often reined-in performance is exactly what the movie needs as a counterbalance to Manning and Eastwood.

When the horror elements arrive, they’re dealt with well, even on the odd occasion when they’re a little cliched (one particular shot you just know is going to be coming from the way everything’s framed immediately before it). Bush handles the change in tempo of the genres deftly with a necessary flashback sequence nicely framed with character development.

Verdict: A smart blend of genres that throws a few curveballs in along the way. 7/10

Paul Simpson

THE VAULT is in cinemas and on iTunes & digital HD from 8th September