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I viewed Soul Survivors with friends on opening night. Despite the lack of press for her, Melissa Sagemiller is the focal point of the movie and is to be commended for that. She is the main character, with Casey Affleck, Wes Bentley and Eliza Dushku in supporting roles. This film is truly focused in on one girl's journey, life, struggle, with the friends (or would-be enemies or strange folks and happenings) all around her.
Even with just a supporting role, Eliza Dushku turns in a good performance -- in spite of the dialogue she is given to work with. Wes and Casey also turn in good performances, but they as well as Eliza get very little to say or do. The score music was gorgeous, particularly in the first half of the film.
When it all comes down to it, the film is escapism - and possibly something that will make you think. This movie has ups and downs like every other feature film, and though I wished there was a more difficult ending (versus an easy way out, so to speak), I was entertained, and I was pleased that it was not just another horror, slasher, twist-your-ankle-and-scream movie.
All in all, it depends on what you are seeing the movie for, and how you react to the development, the symbolism and the ending.
From Everlasting Eliza - by Little Willow - September 8th, 2001