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[ecc]

In Europe, you may have been able to catch this one on DVD or theatrically but it took 5 years for it to get to the states.  Apparently MGM had it at one point and then LionsGate, but Jaume Balaguero's follow-up to the superb THE NAMELESS and the lesser DARKNESS streeted on the 28th courtesy of Phase 4 Films as part of their Fangoria Frightfest line:

Review/comparison of the US and Spanish DVDs.

[Paul]

This is one of those films that I've always meant to catch but haven't yet. I loved NAMELESS, thought it was a really cracking thriller. I had reservations about DARKNESS - thought it was style over content but still quite an enjoyable film. I think Balaguero is a very interesting filmmaker. Not long ordered a copy of REC 2 , which I'm really lookign forward to seeing.

[Paul]

Finally saw this one last night. Your review is spot-on, Eric. This really isn’t a bad little fright flick and it seems rather unfathomable that it would go direct to video both in the UK and the US, when it’s leaps and bounds above many other genre films that are deemed worthy of a theatrical release.

Interestingly, the film reminded me of ORPHANGE, and had I not have known better would have just thought it was a rushed-out knock-off of Juan Antonio Bayona’s film but FRAGILE was made two years before. There’s definitely a lot more than passing resemblance.
 
FRAGILE looks great too and makes the most of its Isle of Wight setting – I can’t remember seeing the island used as a backdrop for a film before (there’s bound to be examples), and it looks nice.

[ecc]

Finally saw this one last night. Your review is spot-on, Eric. This really isn’t a bad little fright flick and it seems rather unfathomable that it would go direct to video both in the UK and the US, when it’s leaps and bounds above many other genre films that are deemed worthy of a theatrical release.

Interestingly, the film reminded me of ORPHANGE, and had I not have known better would have just thought it was a rushed-out knock-off of Juan Antonio Bayona’s film but FRAGILE was made two years before. There’s definitely a lot more than passing resemblance.
 
FRAGILE looks great too and makes the most of its Isle of Wight setting – I can’t remember seeing the island used as a backdrop for a film before (there’s bound to be examples), and it looks nice.

It took a ridiculously long time for this to get US distribution.  Not as good as Balaguero's THE NAMELESS but better than DARKNESS (which did get US theatrical play).

If you want a knockoff of Bayona's film (in terms of atmosphere), see NO-DO (THE HAUNTING).

[Paul]

Finally saw this one last night. Your review is spot-on, Eric. This really isn’t a bad little fright flick and it seems rather unfathomable that it would go direct to video both in the UK and the US, when it’s leaps and bounds above many other genre films that are deemed worthy of a theatrical release.

Interestingly, the film reminded me of ORPHANGE, and had I not have known better would have just thought it was a rushed-out knock-off of Juan Antonio Bayona’s film but FRAGILE was made two years before. There’s definitely a lot more than passing resemblance.
 
FRAGILE looks great too and makes the most of its Isle of Wight setting – I can’t remember seeing the island used as a backdrop for a film before (there’s bound to be examples), and it looks nice.

It took a ridiculously long time for this to get US distribution.  Not as good as Balaguero's THE NAMELESS but better than DARKNESS (which did get US theatrical play).

If you want a knockoff of Bayona's film (in terms of atmosphere), see NO-DO (THE HAUNTING).

NO-DO was recently released here as THE HAUNTING.

NAMELESS is the best of the Balaguero films I’ve seen, buy I’ve yet to catch up with REC and REC 2 (I know, I know – and to add further insult I have seen QUARANTINE).I was completely blown away by NAMELESS – it is such a great film! DARKNESS less so, and I’m inclined to agree that FRAGILE is the better film.

[ecc]

NO-DO was recently released here as THE HAUNTING.

NAMELESS is the best of the Balaguero films I’ve seen, buy I’ve yet to catch up with REC and REC 2 (I know, I know – and to add further insult I have seen QUARANTINE).I was completely blown away by NAMELESS – it is such a great film! DARKNESS less so, and I’m inclined to agree that FRAGILE is the better film.

It was released as THE HAUNTING as part of Fangoria's FrightFest (a Ghosthouse Underground/8 Films to Die For knockoff) which also included FRAGILE.

[Paul]

...and not to be confused with the UK’s short-lived Frightfest label which saw a selection of films released in conjunction with the festival of the same name and Revolver Entertainment. I wonder if they’re legally allowed to use the name Frightfest?