8 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy old man with a demon kid in a sack needs souls, moves in with a new family, and makes friends with the adopted daughter, because apparently that’s a normal Tuesday.

🍿 8: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Troubled Family Seeks a Fresh Start

William Ziel, facing bankruptcy, moves his family back to his estranged father’s remote farmhouse in South Africa. He is joined by his wife, Sarah, and their adopted daughter, Mary. The isolated setting and the need to rebuild their lives create an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension for the family.

The Mysterious Farmhand, Lazarus

Shortly after their arrival, an old farmhand named Lazarus reappears. Lazarus claims to have cared for William’s father in his final days. Despite Sarah’s immediate mistrust and the wary reactions of the local community, William hires Lazarus to help restore the property. Mary, however, develops a curious bond with the enigmatic old man.

Lazarus’s Dark Secret and the Demon

Lazarus is burdened by a terrible secret stemming from a past attempt to resurrect his deceased daughter, Vuyiswa. This act resulted in a demon, Uthuli, possessing his daughter’s body. Lazarus is now cursed to carry Uthuli in a sack, compelled to collect souls to feed the insatiable entity, including the soul of William’s father.

Growing Unease and Local Warnings

Sarah’s suspicions about Lazarus deepen as strange occurrences plague the farm. Meanwhile, the local village shaman, Obara, recognizes Lazarus and the demon’s return and warns the community. Tensions escalate as the family becomes increasingly entangled in Lazarus’s dark past and the demon’s hunger.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lazarus (Tshamano Sebe): An old man cursed to collect souls for a demon he inadvertently created while trying to resurrect his daughter.
• Sarah (Inge Beckmann): William’s wife who is immediately suspicious of Lazarus and protective of her adopted daughter, Mary.
• Mary (Keita Luna): The adopted daughter who is drawn to Lazarus and becomes entangled with his supernatural curse.
• William (Garth Breytenbach): The husband who moves his family to an inherited farm for a new life and unknowingly hires the cursed Lazarus.
• Obara (Chris April): A village shaman who understands the nature of Lazarus’s curse and attempts to warn the new family.
• Uthuli (Eve Maxagazo): The demon that possesses Lazarus’s daughter’s body and requires souls to feed.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lazarus: “A debt is a debt.” – Lazarus states this grim fact, acknowledging the inescapable nature of the pact he made with the entity to save his life, which now forces him to collect souls.
• Lazarus: “I gave you my daughter, Mary. I gave her to him.” – Lazarus tearfully confesses the terrible price he paid years ago, revealing the origin of his curse and his deep guilt over sacrificing his daughter’s soul.
• Entity (Voice): “He is hungry.” – The malevolent entity communicates its need for souls through Lazarus, highlighting the driving force behind the curse and the danger posed to others.
• Isaac: “What is this place?” – Isaac asks this upon arriving at the remote, isolated farm, sensing the unsettling atmosphere and mystery surrounding Lazarus and the property.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: None
• Worldwide Gross: $142,725

💥 8 Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I checked out this South African horror flick called 8, and man, it’s a mixed bag but pretty interesting. First off, Lazarus, the old guy carrying the creepy sack, is incredibly well-acted. Tshamano Sebe just owns that role and brings a real tragic depth to it. The visuals are also surprisingly stunning, like some of the landscape shots and the weird, hazy, almost dreamlike sequences. The story takes its sweet time getting going, though. Like, *really* slow. There were times I felt my attention drifting, waiting for something big to happen. But then it would hit you with a genuinely unsettling scene or a cool piece of folklore explanation. The ending is… something. It definitely got me thinking and talking about it afterward, even if I wasn’t entirely sure what it all meant. If you’re into atmospheric, slow-burn horror with unique cultural roots and don’t mind a bit of confusion at the end, give it a shot.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror”
  • “Viewers interested in folklore-based supernatural stories”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven horror”
  • “Audiences looking for international horror cinema (specifically South African)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Supernatural horror violence”
  • “Themes of death and soul consumption”
  • “Potentially disturbing images (demon, rituals)”
  • “Rated 15 in some regions (contains moderate horror violence and threat)”

Professional Reviews

• Inspired by User Reviews: “This South African horror film presents a unique premise rooted in folklore, elevated by Tshamano Sebe’s commanding performance as Lazarus. While the cinematography is striking and the atmosphere thick, the narrative pace is deliberate, sometimes bordering on slow, and the ending left many questioning its meaning. A visually rich, thought-provoking effort, though perhaps not for those seeking rapid-fire scares.
• Inspired by User Reviews: “Harold Holscher’s debut feature is an ambitious dive into cultural horror. The film looks gorgeous, capturing the bleak beauty of its setting, and the core concept is genuinely original. However, inconsistent pacing and some questionable character choices occasionally pull you out of the experience. It’s a flawed but fascinating attempt that shows promise for future South African genre cinema.

Audience Reactions

Lazarus, played by Tshamano Sebe, was consistently praised as the standout performance.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s originality, its foundation in South African folklore, and the beautiful cinematography. The atmosphere and unique concept were also frequently mentioned as positives.

The film’s slow pace was a frequent point of criticism, leading some viewers to lose interest.: Common complaints included the slow pacing, a confusing or unsatisfying ending, and sometimes inconsistent character decisions or storytelling clarity.

Overall Consensus: A divisive film praised for its original concept, strong central performance, and striking visuals, but often criticized for its slow pace and a perplexing ending.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot on location in the rural, mountainous areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, contributing significantly to its unique, atmospheric setting.”
• “This movie serves as the feature film directorial debut for writer and director Harold Holscher.”
• “The creature and supernatural elements draw heavily on South African folklore, specifically the concept of ‘Tokoloshe’ or similar malevolent spirits, although not explicitly named as such in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch 8?

You can typically find ‘8’ (also known as ‘The Soul Collector’) available to stream on platforms that feature horror or independent films. Check major digital marketplaces like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for options to rent or purchase the movie digitally. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary by region and time.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 8, you might like these similar films:

• The Skeleton Key (2005): Features Southern Gothic atmosphere, a supernatural entity with specific rules for collecting souls, and explores themes of possession and the consequences of deals.
• Drag Me to Hell (2009): Focuses on the inescapable consequences of a curse brought on by a supernatural entity and the protagonist’s desperate attempts to break free from the pact.
• The Lodge (2019): Shares a sense of isolation, atmospheric dread, and psychological/supernatural horror elements centered around a small group of characters in a remote location.
• The Old Ways (2020): Incorporates folklore and rituals from a specific culture (Mexican) to explore themes of dealing with supernatural entities and the fight for one’s soul.
• Angel Heart (1987): A cult classic that delves into a dark, supernatural mystery involving a deal with the devil, the collection of souls, and profound, tragic consequences for the protagonist.

🛒 8 Related Products

• The Soul Collector (8) Blu-ray or Digital Download: Own the unique South African horror film ‘8’, also known as ‘The Soul Collector’. Experience the atmospheric visuals and unsettling story of Lazarus and the Ziel family at your leisure.
• South African Folklore & Mythology Book Collection: Delve deeper into the rich cultural traditions and spooky tales that inspired ‘8’. This collection explores various myths and legends from South Africa.
• Atmospheric Horror Game: ‘Mothmen 1966’: Play through a pixelated visual novel horror game with a focus on atmosphere, mystery, and unsettling creatures inspired by folklore, offering a similar thematic vibe to ‘8’s blend of the mundane and the supernatural.
• Themed Art Print: ‘Soul Moth’: A high-quality art print featuring abstract or symbolic imagery inspired by the moth motif and soul-collecting themes from the film ‘8’. A subtle nod for fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

8 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Swan Lake” – performed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Scary Movie (8/12) Movie CLIP – Silent Theater (2000) HD

This scene is absolutely hilarious! It perfectly captures the movie’s wild humor and shows what happens when moviegoers *really* get fed up with annoying people in the theater. Definitely worth a watch if you need a laugh.

✨ Rate