Maisie Williams may not look like her Game of Thrones character in The Owners, but she certainly has some brave and powerful moments in this unusual horror thriller. She plays Mary, a young lady reluctantly involved in a robbery attempt because of her boyfriend (Ian Kenny) and his two pals (Jake Curran and Andrew Lewis) who believe they can find a safe full of money in a certain empty house.

However, as luck will have it, Dr. Huggins and his wife Ellen (Sylvester McCoy and Rita Tushingham), the elderly couple who own the house, surprise them by coming home earlier than expected. The would-be robbers soon find out this is not an ordinary couple but rather two old people with plans of their own. Mayhem ensues.

The bloody battles get fierce and very LOUD. Clearly, these young people are shocked by the baffling senior citizens. What they thought would be an easy score turns out to be their worst nightmare.

Who will win? Will anyone remain alive?  Although we want to cheer on Mary’s fight for survival, we can’t help wanting the wannabe robbers to get their comeuppance. And we wonder how Dr. Huggins remains so calm throughout most of the intense fighting and yelling. 

As in many movies nowadays, too many dark scenes make it hard to see what’s happening on screen. But I suppose horror flicks like The Owners deserve a pass on that. On the bright side, the believable acting amid so much carnage -- by all cast members -- is greatly appreciated.  

    Horrific things happen to four

in THE OWNERS, a film of gore.

Three guys and a girl will regret

plans to rob once in the net.

Their victims? A hubby and wife

both of them aged by a long life.

Their house a shambles by these kids

Time for them to put on the skids.

Terror, blood and violence too.

It’s horror thriller through and through.

Not for scaredy cats, no siree.

Almost too frightening for me!

Directed by Julius Berg and co-written by Berg and Matthieu Gompel, this offering is based on a French graphic novel titled Une Nuit de Pleine Lune. The film boasts a simple plot oozing with suspense. However, the movie’s  conclusion reminds me of a pearl inside an oyster. It’s shiny -- but how did it get there?   

Old age is the one thing you don’t want to be cured of.  --- Orson Welles

The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last. --- Orson Welles 

(Released by RLJE Films. Not rated by MPAA.)