User reviews

While I had never heard about this 2023 horror movie titled "He Never Left", from director James Morris, of course I had to watch it as I stumbled upon it here in 2025, given my love of all things horror.

From the movie's synopsis, I was figuring that I would be in for a masked slasher type of horror movie, but instead I found myself in for a supernatural horror movie I guess, as there was a lot of imaginary things going on apparently. And truth be told, the writers James Morris, Michael Ballif and Colin Cunningham, with the latter also starring in the movie, failed to pen down a properly entertaining script. I found the narrative boring and uneventful, and I struggled to keep feigning an interest in it, but it was a losing uphill battle.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, and that was actually a nice thing, as I enjoy watching unfamiliar talents and faces on the screen. And despite of the script being a swing and a miss, then I will say that the acting performances were fair.

As for "He Never Left" being a horror movie, well, don't get your hopes up. Perhaps if you are a newcomer to the horror genre then you might find this movie scary. But I have been watching horror movies for more than 40 years, so this was a mere walk in the park. And a boring one at that.

Semi-watchable, sure, but "He Never Left" was not a great movie, not even by a longshot. It was a struggle to sit through, and it is definitely not a movie that I will ever return to watch a second time. Nor is it a movie that I will recommend to horror fans.

My rating of director James Morris's 2023 horror movie "He Never Left" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.

This is a film I brought based on the description at the same time as heart eyes and hoped in a similer vein it would be just as good. Unfortunatly though I was very wrong. This woman called carley goes to a motel, but smuggles her boyfriend in the trunk because his on the run from the cops because of murder. The guy running the place seems a little creepy but not a whole lot really happens here in terms of horror. This becomes more of a thriller and any attmept at horror is null void. The mask however was creepy enough. Acting not the worst ive seen in these typs of films either. I was just overall let down by this one.

Arriving at a run-down motel, a woman prepares for her significant other to appear so they can start a new life together, but as they stay at the motel come to believe that a savage killer from local folklore has taken up residence in the room next door and must try to get away alive.

This was an enjoyable enough effort, but it did have some issues. The biggest factor with this one is the strong setup that provides a great opportunity for this one to go with an intriguing thriller premise throughout. The central premise offering a fine bit of world-building with the backstory on the killer terrorizing the town and going uncaught for years since with them believing that there's a chance he's returned makes for a great setup, much like the resulting storyline about the couple staying at the next-door room. The way they come together with the room being used as a hideout after his fugitive status makes him go on the run and arrive there which sets him off into a panic when everything starts going wrong waiting for a pick-up to get out of the situation as the escalating tension trying to ensure nothing happens to him means that getting involved in the potential murder next door is all handled quite well. Given that this all goes with a strong secondary storyline about the potential killer following the girlfriend to her house as the atmospheric setting and tense stalking give this some great moments. Beyond this, there are some big factors here that come about more from viewers' expectations more than anything. With the setup about the legendary killer supposedly returning from an absence to start up a rampage once again with the setting taking place at the remote motel where the couple going through their own issues at the same time, the potential is there for this to delve into a stalk and slash template knocking off the rest of the motel guests before turning to the remaining couple. Instead, this opts for a thriller route about him trying to evade capture at the location rather than dole out the kind of body count or even slasher setpieces usually associated with the genre and leaves this one with a generally lackluster tone which leaves everything somewhat underwhelming with more focus on these factors that don't lead to the type of content you want. It's what lowers this the most.

Rated Unrated/R: Language and Violence.

Seeing the 8, 9, 10 ratings and reviews I couldn't not express my view of this film.

I guess technically it was mediocre. The plot was intrresting and could have worked.

What canceled out any positives were the preposterous breaks in continuity.

Every time the dialog negated what was established moments earlier was physically jarring.

After the 3rd or 4th total break in the established story, I just could not take it anymore.

I stopped to write this half way through.

If you watch this, you will know what I'm talking about assuming you follow what has been established.

Literally mind boggling.

This was a blind purchase primarily based on the artwork, granted I did read the synopsis and thought to myself this seemed promising.

Sadly it was not the case, it took a lifetime to get going, I will tip the hat to Colin Cunngham who plays Gabriel, he certainly brought his A game to the proceedings, but I found myself thinking, did his performance belong in another movie.

Strangely the artwork at first glance reminded me of The Town That Dreaded Sundown but as far as thrills and chills go, it was quite a numbing experience and storyline wise it was all over the place.

Proceed with caution.

The best parts of the movie were the fall colors as the car drove through parts of Utah on the way to the motel. Carly has Gabe in the trunk of her car, as Gabe is a very wanted man. Carly pays for three nights at the motel. For almost the rest of the movie we are regaled with a very paranoid driven Gabe, who has to stay out of sight in the room. There are some flashbacks which fill in some of the background. There is some use of jump scares, and also seeing people that are not there. There is a scene where the motel manager tells Gabe that Carly's credit card didn't go through, something about the address being wrong. The last act seems a bit rushed and incoherent. But do stay for the credits, as much is revealed, and it also seems this movie got some crowdfunding. But this movie is best forgotten, and even not viewed.

He Never Left is a smaller film, and in some ways, I appreciate what it is trying to do. Production is decent. Acting is okay if a bit grating. Plot tries to be intriguing, but it comes across a bit to simplistic, even if everything isn't known up front. The plot combines two storylines that are unconnected but by the barest of a thread. And this connection doesn't make a difference in the overall story, just a weird coincidence. So why bother?

I wanted to like this more than I did. The bleak ending didn't help as I don't appreciate evil winning just to make for a "cute" ending. Hopefully, they won't make a sequal anytime soon. Tired characters didn't help as they just became lame tropes of standard wrong doers. But, the parts didn't add up to much. Oh well.

In a town that's plagued by the memories of a killer in a mysterious pale mask, the setting takes place primarily in a small motel, where a wanted criminal has decided to post up from the police. Quickly you find out that not all is right in this motel as things begin to reveal themselves.

Actors give a solid performance that helps sell the uncomfortable uncertainty of this modern slasher.

The color grading, as well as the Halloween aesthetic, make for the perfect setting during the spooky season but doesn't limit this to a seasonal watch.

Simply, this was a beautifully shot, well acted, thrill ride.

He Never Left is a welcome addition to the Witching Season Films cinematic universe. The character design for Pale Face is exceptional, hitting all the right notes for a slasher. Colin Cunningham is masterful in his role, striking a delicate balance between pity and disdain for a character you'd want to avoid at all costs in real life. Jessica Staples delivers a standout performance, bringing raw emotion to her role and leaving you genuinely heartbroken for her character.

James Morris and Sean D. Hunter provide much-needed levity without making their characters seem incompetent-no easy feat, but one they execute flawlessly.

As a long-time fan of the work James Morris and Michael Ballif produce, He Never Left is another shining example of what makes Witching Season Films so significant-not just within the horror genre, but also for the Halloween season. Everything they create feels like a love letter to the genre and to the season that inspired it.

I'm eager to see what Witching Season Films releases next. I hope they never stop creating. No other filmmaker has managed to transport me into the heart of Fall and Halloween like Witching Season Films does with their short and feature-length films.

Starting with the opening shots, you can tell right away that the cinematography is such an important element to the movie, and it is. I've followed Witching Season Films for a while now and their ability to capture the moody Autumn and Halloween nostalgia is really like no other. The soundtrack is wonderful, which is another thing I appreciate in their storytelling.

Acting was everything I'd been hearing about and more. After seeing so many good things about the acting, I had high expectations. The scale of emotions that the two leads exhibit feels natural and real, not too dramatic unless the scene really calls for it. Casting was very well done and the actors really make this an easy watch.

As I've learned from past works, expect the unexpected. Though I guessed part of it correctly, I was caught off guard for some of it, in a good way. Without revealing any spoilers, I feel it was done well and even if some of it was very surprising, I feel that the surprises didn't "take" anything from the story, but rather added to it and I found the ending quite enjoyable.

Gore, mystery, a legendary killer, an old motel, and even a few minor supernatural elements; this is a fresh take on a niche of horror that I fully enjoyed.

This is not a slasher...it is something more. It is a fantastic character study, executed with a stylish sense of filmmaking whilst bathed in Halloweentime ambience. The writing and presentation recall a time when horror films (thrillers, if you prefer) were just as much about mystery and intrigue as they were about shock and schlock. He Never Left has all of this to offer in spades, plus a few surprises along the way. The wonderful Witching Season Films family never fails to impress, with James Morris masterfully manifesting the macabre mise-en-scène both behind and in front of the camera, beside Michael Ballif, who poignantly paints each frame in dual roles as cinematographer and editor and never allows the same motel setting to get stale. Randin Graves' score is composed with as much compelling, calculating complexity as the performances from Jessica Staples and Colin Cunningham who evoke unrelenting empathy as David McMahon and Charla Bocchicchio meanwhile offer quiet quirkiness to round out a truly classy cast. Also true is that this film may not go the way you want or expect, but it stands currently as an antithetical to so many of its contemporaries in the zeitgeist and if it doesn't find massive success now, it will certainly find a cult of its own in due time.

Witching Season Films has knocked it out of the park with their second feature film He Never Left. I was a fan of the series The Witching Season and their first feature They Live Inside Us. When I saw the Indiegogo campaign I knew I had to back it! That was a couple of years ago and let me tell you it was worth the wait!

The premise deals with Gabe on the run from the law and hides out in a motel in a town where a serial killer known has Pale Face disappeared decades ago. Only, Gabe is not alone in the hotel and Pale Face is making a long awaited return. I'm not giving more than that because you need to watch this!

This movie had everything you could want in a slasher film and while it has a different approach the film never loses its goal which is to give you an emotional and visceral experience.

Everything works on all levels. The filmmakers went to great lengths to give you a movie that feels right at home in your annual Halloween viewing. The cinematography is top notch and the colors just ooze October.

The music is first rate and has that 80's vibe which is always a plus. And it compliments a lot of scenes as well while adding depth of emotion in certain parts.

I could not have been more happier to have watched this!

This is really good. I was pleasantly surprised. The writing is not bad.

The main character is troubled and having flashbacks. Police are looking for him for grand theft auto and a hit and run. Maybe more? His friend Carly is helping him get the hotel and food, but she is not staying with him as she has her own life.

He is waiting for someone to arrange things for him-waiting patiently in the seedy motel. It will take some time. He hears a woman screaming in the room next door. He tells Carly about what he heard when she brings him breakfast and she admonishes him for not helping, but what can he do?

Things quickly go from bad to worse very fast. Not just at the hotel, but for Carly too.

He Never Left is a breath of fresh air in an often stale, tired, played out genre. James, Mike and the rest of the Witching Season Films crew have created a new guaranteed Halloween classic and must watch for the season! The shots and set designs are spectacular! The sound design is creepy and works perfectly for every scene. Colin does a terrific job playing the manic, hysterical character on the run from a horrendous mistake. And let's not forget the true star... Pale Face! So menacing, brutal and cool! With an amazing mask designed by the ever talented Billy-James Martin aka Open_Grave_FX. Just an all around super cool, nostalgic, fun film, perfect for Halloween viewing! Witching Season Films have knocked another one out of the park!

I've scrolled past this film several times in the past couple months. Thinking it looked/sounded cool, i often considered watching it but never did - until 2 hours ago. I am so very glad I did because it was definitely a pleasant surprise. It's a slasher - and like most slashers, there's not much originality on display here. Still, it kept my attention and when the credits started rolling, I came straight to IMDb - intent on informing others of a great film and suggesting they take the time to watch. Colin Cunningham is an absolutely amazing actor. I thoroughly enjoyed HE NEVER LEFT and I think most horror/slasher fans will as well.

James Morris did a great job directing and co-writing/co-producing. He also plays a role in the film and is a pretty talented actor. Still, I always wonder - when a director I'm unfamiliar with acts in their own films, why are they so easy to pick out? I definitely don't mean that as a slight - I'm only curious haha. WATCH "HE NEVER LEFT". Do it.