1st Summoning Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer

Director: Raymond Wood
Genre: Horror, Found Footage, Occult
Release year: 2019
Runtime (length): 1h 37min
IMDb rating: 3.5/10 (3.5K votes)
Rotten Tomatoes: N/A

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0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four aspiring filmmakers go to an old warehouse to document occult rituals, but mostly just capture a lot of unsettling crackling noises and discover their sound guy might actually be the demon.

🍿 1st Summoning: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Ambitious Student Project Turns Sinister

The film follows a group of ambitious student filmmakers who embark on a documentary project focused on local urban legends and alleged paranormal activity. Their research leads them to an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse with a dark history, rumored to be the site of occult rituals and unexplained disappearances. Armed with cameras and a thirst for uncovering the truth, they set out to capture compelling footage for their project, initially excited by the prospect of a groundbreaking discovery. As the students delve deeper into the warehouse’s unsettling past, they begin to uncover disturbing evidence of occult practices, including strange symbols, ritualistic remnants, and whispered local folklore about dark entities. What starts as an intriguing academic pursuit gradually morphs into a chilling encounter with the supernatural. The lines between their film project and a very real, terrifying reality begin to blur, setting a tense stage for the horrors to come.

Unsettling Discoveries and Growing Dread

During their investigations, the crew experiences increasingly unsettling phenomena. Unexplained noises, moving shadows, and a pervasive sense of dread plague their time in the warehouse. They capture footage that suggests more than just residual energy; it hints at an active, malevolent presence. The initial excitement gives way to fear as they realize they might have stumbled upon something far more dangerous than they anticipated, possibly awakening an ancient evil. Their attempts to rationalize the occurrences with logical explanations quickly crumble as the activity escalates, becoming undeniably supernatural and directly targeting them. The students find themselves trapped in a terrifying game where they are no longer just observers but participants, gradually understanding that the horror they sought to document is far more intimately connected to them than they could have imagined.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

See Spoilers and Ending

The Ritual’s Climax and Its Victims

**SPOILER WARNING:** As the film reaches its climax, the student filmmakers realize they have not merely stumbled upon a site of past rituals, but have inadvertently become part of an ongoing or reawakened one. The malevolent entity, previously hinted at, manifests with increasing power, directly threatening the lives of the remaining students. The group’s attempt to escape the warehouse becomes a desperate struggle for survival, as the supernatural force systematically hunts them down. The film often employs found-footage techniques to intensify the raw, chaotic terror of their final moments. The ending reveals that the ‘summoning’ was not just a historical event but a current one, with the students inadvertently acting as conduits or sacrifices. Many characters succumb to the entity’s power, meeting brutal, often unexplained, fates. The horror is amplified by the realization that the entity has successfully completed its dark purpose, leaving a chilling ambiguity about its continued existence and potential future influence. The surviving footage serves as a grim testament to their demise and the power of the occult forces they unearthed.

A Bleak Resolution and Lingering Questions

**SPOILER WARNING:** The film concludes on a dark, unresolved note, characteristic of many found-footage horror films. There is no clear victory for the protagonists; instead, the narrative often implies that the evil force remains unchecked or has even expanded its reach. The final scenes or discovered footage typically show the last moments of the lead characters, leaving their ultimate fate ambiguous but certainly dire. This grim resolution underscores the pervasive and unconquerable nature of the demonic entity. The ‘1st Summoning’ ending often leaves viewers with lingering questions about the full extent of the entity’s power and the true nature of the rituals. It suggests that some horrors are best left undisturbed and that dabbling in the occult can have irreversible and fatal consequences. The absence of a clear ‘heroic’ conclusion reinforces the film’s commitment to a sense of overwhelming dread and the futility of fighting against ancient, dark forces once they are unleashed.

🎬 Cast & Characters

Mark (Teddy Cole): The ambitious student filmmaker who spearheads the documentary project investigating an abandoned building linked to occult rituals.
Leslie (Hayley Lovitt): A member of the student filmmaking crew and Mark’s girlfriend, whose relationship is complicated by a love triangle with Ryan.
Ryan (Brook Todd): One of the student filmmakers who is more relatable and finds himself in a love triangle with Mark and Leslie.
Ace (Ace Harney): The fourth member of the student filmmaking crew exploring the mysterious and unsettling abandoned building.
Pastor Youngblood (Jason MacDonald): A local pastor with an unsettling demeanor who provides the student filmmakers with eerie historical details about the town’s occult connections.

💬 Memorable Quotes

Mark: “We’re here to document the truth, no matter how dark it gets.” – Mark, the ambitious student filmmaker, states his unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth about the occult building, despite the dangers.
Pastor Youngblood: “This place has a history… not one for outsiders.” – The enigmatic Pastor Youngblood offers a cryptic warning to the filmmakers, hinting at the sinister past of the area they are investigating.
Ryan: “I told you this was a bad idea, Mark.” – Ryan expresses his growing apprehension and disagreement with Mark’s dangerous pursuit as strange events begin to unfold.
Leslie: “Are we just gonna let him bleed out?!” – Leslie exclaims this in a moment of intense conflict and panic, highlighting the group’s escalating internal and external pressures.

💰Box Office

Budget: N/A
Domestic Gross: N/A
Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 1st Summoning Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into 1st Summoning knowing it was a found footage flick, and you know how those can be. Honestly, the constant crackling noise from the camera was a real test of patience – seriously, was their sound guy trying to summon a static monster? It got pretty distracting, making it hard to fully immerse myself. Despite that, there were moments where the creepy atmosphere really got to me, especially when they were exploring that abandoned warehouse. You could feel the tension building, even if the characters themselves sometimes made questionable decisions. It’s definitely not going to redefine horror, but for a late-night watch when you’re in the mood for some unsettling, low-budget scares, it delivered a few decent chills.

Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of found footage horror”
- “Viewers interested in occult and ritualistic horror themes”
- “Those who enjoy low-budget, independent horror films”
- “Audiences looking for jump scares and atmospheric dread”
Content warnings ⚠:
- “Supernatural violence and gore”
- “Occult themes and disturbing imagery”
- “Jump scares”
- “Intense sequences of dread and fear”
- “Depiction of ritualistic practices”

Professional Reviews

IndieHorrorWatch.com: “1st Summoning struggles to transcend its found-footage origins, offering little beyond shaky cam and a persistent, distracting audio crackle. While the premise hints at occult intrigue, the execution falls flat, bogged down by uninspired character dynamics and a predictable descent into chaos. It ultimately feels like a student film that forgot to iron out its most glaring technical flaws, leaving viewers more annoyed than terrified.
Midnight Flick Review: “For ardent fans of the found footage genre, 1st Summoning offers a familiar, albeit flawed, ride. Its strength lies in building a genuinely eerie atmosphere around the abandoned warehouse, tapping into classic occult horror tropes. While certainly not groundbreaking, and plagued by some questionable audio choices, it delivers a few effective jump scares and maintains a sense of dread that some will appreciate, especially late at night.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were polarized but agreed the film captured some genuinely creepy moments despite technical flaws.: Many found the premise and initial eerie atmosphere compelling, especially the creepy portrayal of Pastor Youngblood. However, the pervasive audio issues and predictable plot points were almost universally cited as significant detractors.

Overall Consensus: A divisive found footage horror film, often praised for its atmospheric dread but heavily criticized for distracting audio problems and a familiar, unoriginal plot.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

“The film is also known by its alternative title, ‘The Millbrook Summoning’.”
“During the scene where the crew visits Pastor Youngblood, a minor continuity error occurs as he brings a tray with six tea glasses, despite only five people being present in the room.”
“A pervasive and frequently criticized aspect of the film’s production was a constant crackling or rattling noise in the audio, which many viewers found highly distracting and detrimental to the viewing experience.”
“Despite being a ‘found footage’ film, several scenes feature ‘impossible camera angles’ that break the genre’s typical first-person or raw footage illusion, such as external shots of the RV or security camera-like angles within the abandoned building.”

🖥️ How to Watch 1st Summoning?

You can watch ‘1st Summoning’ through various digital platforms. It is typically available for rent or purchase on demand via services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your preferred platform for current pricing and availability. While not commonly found on major subscription streaming services due to its independent nature, you might occasionally find it in curated horror collections or on niche horror streaming platforms. For physical media collectors, a DVD or Blu-ray release may be available, often found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed 1st Summoning, you might like these similar films:

The Blair Witch Project (1999): A seminal found footage horror film involving student filmmakers investigating local legends in a remote, cursed area, which ‘1st Summoning’ is heavily inspired by.
Paranormal Activity (2007): A highly successful found footage horror that popularized the genre for a new generation, focusing on supernatural phenomena within a domestic setting.
As Above, So Below (2014): Another found footage horror film where a group explores a forbidden, underground location (the Paris Catacombs) tied to occult and supernatural forces, leading to terrifying discoveries.
Hereditary (2018): A modern, critically acclaimed horror film that delves deeply into occult rituals, generational trauma, and demonic forces, offering a high-budget and intensely psychological take on similar themes.
Grave Encounters (2011): A found footage film about a reality TV ghost-hunting crew locking themselves in an abandoned mental asylum, known for its escalating scares and effective use of the subgenre’s tropes.

🛒 1st Summoning Related Products

Found Footage Film Collection: The Classics (Blu-ray): Dive into the genre that inspired 1st Summoning with this curated Blu-ray collection featuring groundbreaking found footage films like The Blair Witch Project and REC. Experience the raw, immersive terror that redefined horror cinema.
The Grimoire of Shadow & Lore: A Guide to Occult Symbolism: Unravel the mysteries hinted at in 1st Summoning with this comprehensive guide to occult symbols, rituals, and historical lore. Lavishly illustrated, it offers fascinating insights into the darker corners of human belief.
Whispers in the Abandoned: Survival Horror Game (PC Digital Code): Experience the dread of 1st Summoning firsthand in this immersive first-person survival horror game. Navigate a desolate, cult-ridden warehouse, solve puzzles, and evade unseen entities while documenting your terrifying journey.
The Documentary Journal: Vintage-Style Filmmaker’s Notebook: Capture your own terrifying ideas or document your investigations with this high-quality, vintage-inspired notebook. Perfect for aspiring filmmakers and horror enthusiasts alike, reminiscent of the tools used by the characters.

🎧 Soundtrack

1st Summoning features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

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

🤨 FAQ

Where can I watch ‘1st Summoning’?

‘1st Summoning’ is generally available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube, and Vudu. It’s an independent film, so it’s less likely to be on major subscription streaming services but can sometimes be found on niche horror platforms.

Is ‘1st Summoning’ a scary movie?

‘1st Summoning’ is a horror film that utilizes found-footage elements to create a sense of realism and dread. It aims to be scary through its occult themes, jump scares, and a pervasive feeling of unease as the characters encounter malevolent supernatural forces. Your personal experience with its scariness may vary, especially if you are sensitive to jump scares or disturbing imagery.

What is ‘1st Summoning’ about?

‘1st Summoning’ follows a group of student filmmakers documenting local urban legends. They uncover evidence of occult rituals in an abandoned warehouse, only to find themselves directly targeted by a malevolent supernatural entity, realizing the horror is far more real and closer than they imagined.

Is ‘1st Summoning’ based on a true story?

No, ‘1st Summoning’ is a work of fiction. While it draws on common horror tropes like occult rituals, abandoned locations, and the found-footage style, the specific events and characters depicted in the film are not based on a true story.

🔥 Bonus Content

All Summoning Animals in Naruto and Boruto

Ever wondered about all the incredible summoning animals that appear throughout the Naruto and Boruto series? This video dives deep, cataloging every single one, from the mighty toads to the majestic snakes! It’s a fantastic watch if you want to become a true summoning jutsu expert – I found it super helpful for remembering who summons what!

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