Film adaptations of the work of prolific author Dean Koontz have been a fairly mixed bag over the years, from Demon Seed through to the likes of Watchers, Hideaway and Phantoms.

But if one strand of Koontz’s work ever seemed destined for the big screen treatment, it is the character of Odd Thomas.

After all, Koontz has managed to spin Thomas into six novels, a short story and two graphic novels, so there is plenty of source material.

This filmic version stars Anton Yelchin as Odd Thomas, a short order cook who just happens to have the ability to see the dead – specifically those that have been murdered.

But rather than simply get the chills, Thomas sets about bringing the killer/s to justice.

Alongside Yelchin, the film also stars the likes of Willem Dafoe, Addison Timlin and Patton Oswalt.

The trailer certainly looks reasonable enough, although there are a few too many cheesy effects moments for my liking – hardly surprising when you consider the film is directed by The Mummy/The Mummy Returns helmer Stephen Sommers.

Odd Thomas screens at Frightfest on Monday, August 26.

 

About The Author

Avatar photo

Simon is a journalism tutor in London, who also just happens to be a movie fanatic, with a craving for the darker side of cinema. He has written three books - on the horror films of director Bob Clark (2014), the history of the character Norman Bates (2015) and the work of British exploitation director Pete Walker (2017). He is currently working with director Richard Loncraine to explore all avenues in a bid to orchestrate the re-release of 1978 Mia Farrow chiller Full Circle