When I first heard about Anything for Jackson, I figured it was another run-of-the-mill possession flick. You know the drill—demonic whispers, levitating furniture, and priests yelling Latin incantations. What I didn’t expect was a darkly comedic and unsettling spin on the genre that had me equal parts horrified and amused. Leave it to Shudder to deliver a movie that somehow balances heartfelt grief and satanic rituals without missing a beat.
“Desperation makes monsters of us all.” – The Premise
The story follows Audrey and Henry Walsh, a grieving elderly couple who take “grandparent goals” to a whole new level. After losing their grandson in a tragic accident, they decide the best way to cope is to…kidnap a pregnant woman and use a satanic ritual to transfer their grandson’s soul into her unborn child. Yep, that kind of movie. What starts as a deeply human exploration of grief spirals into a nightmarish rabbit hole of supernatural chaos, leaving you wondering who—or what—is really in control.
One of the most brilliant aspects of Anything for Jackson is how it flips the script. Instead of hapless victims battling evil forces, we follow the villains—two well-meaning grandparents with a very questionable moral compass. It’s a fresh take that keeps you on edge, because you’re never quite sure who you’re rooting for.
“Summoning demons was the easy part.” – The Execution
Julian Richings and Sheila McCarthy are absolute standouts as the grieving couple. Richings brings a quiet intensity to Henry, while McCarthy’s Audrey is equal parts nurturing and unnervingly determined. Their chemistry sells the movie’s central conceit: these two genuinely love each other and their grandson, but their actions are straight-up bonkers.
The real star of the show, though, is Justin G. Dyck’s direction. Known for his work in Hallmark-style Christmas movies (seriously!), Dyck delivers a visually striking film that’s equal parts surreal and terrifying. The slow-burn pacing gives way to shocking moments of visceral horror—ghosts, gory deaths, and one particularly creepy contortionist sequence that’ll haunt your nightmares.
The humor is another standout element. It’s not laugh-out-loud funny, but there’s a dark, ironic wit that runs through the film. The absurdity of Audrey and Henry’s situation—balancing PTA meetings with demonic incantations—adds a layer of levity that prevents the movie from feeling too oppressive.
“Be careful what you summon.” – The Horror Elements
This film is a buffet of creepy visuals and unsettling ideas. The ghosts are not just there to haunt; they’re like living embodiments of the couple’s guilt and the chaos their actions have unleashed. Each spirit is unique, grotesque, and lingers just long enough to make you squirm.
What really got under my skin, though, was the film’s moral ambiguity. Audrey and Henry aren’t cackling villains—they’re heartbroken people who made a series of terrible choices. That human element makes the horror hit harder, because you’re not just scared for the characters; you’re scared of them.
“Grief doesn’t excuse evil.” – Final Thoughts
Is Anything for Jackson perfect? Not quite. Some of the side characters, like the cult expert, feel a bit underdeveloped, and the film’s tone occasionally wobbles between dark humor and straight-up horror. But those are minor quibbles in an otherwise fantastic movie.
This is a film that sticks with you—not just because of its terrifying imagery, but because it forces you to grapple with uncomfortable questions about love, loss, and the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we miss.
If you’re looking for a horror movie that’s smart, scary, and a little bit twisted, Anything for Jackson is worth your time. Just…maybe don’t watch it with your grandparents.
Strengths
- Fresh, villain-centric perspective that feels original
- Stellar performances from Julian Richings and Sheila McCarthy
- A chilling blend of dark humor and supernatural horror
Weaknesses
- A few underdeveloped side characters
- Tonal shifts that occasionally feel jarring
Score: A haunting, heart-wrenching 7.5.
Happy Goat Horror 
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