*********READ the novel, now available on Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCN9G632 **********
*****************The REVIEWS are in on CREATURES of HABIT*************************
"I was too mesmerized to put it away until I read the whole script.... the ending came together with a level of excitement that most good screenplays and stories always do, with a captivating buildup and exciting conclusion. I will see this movie immediately if it reaches production and release.”
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"Beautifully written from the start... very nice opening line, and for myself it was interesting to read such an action laden piece, particularly at the start, but it grabbed my interest and moved at a pace that kept me intrigued... The narrative had a good structure that I think held well throughout and the characters were well developed, particularly the primary character with his interesting background story... which added another interesting layer to the narrative... Very well written, and also well-polished... I may have learnt a thing or two from reading this screenplay, which was an additional bonus. An excellent screenplay that I enjoyed reading very much...”
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“What can I say. An interesting and dynamic story, full of action and intrigue... The setting is great, and would lend itself to some spectacular cinematography... a superb piece of writing and a great story. Well done!”
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“First of all, let me say that you have got a refreshingly original idea here and you have set it in the appropriate genre. So those two things are working very well for you. As a person diagnosed with OCD (I am "symmetry" and "counting" compulsive), I am happy to see that story being told... You have a good handle on story structure and your actual screenwriting skills are high.”
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“First, let me just say that this script was such a joy to read!... The incorporation of Native American Folklore was awesome. It felt really thorough, well-researched, and authentic. I feel like I was learning a ton about a new culture, without it being given in an info dump... I love the careful attention to detail in this script. Everything from character names to the beautiful, vibrant descriptions of actions and settings... I thought that the dynamic between John and Dakota was very well executed. It didn't go too over the top in hammering out the specifics of their past relationship, but the lingering feelings between them were very clear... I thought you did a really great job of maintaining a tone of simmering, creepy tension throughout the entire script, even during lecture scenes where it very easily could've faded. In fact, I think the scenes away from the immediate action (such as when he's lecturing) are some of the strongest/most memorable for me... I liked the friendship between the Threshold Guardians: it added a little lightness to the script while also leading to some higher dramatic stakes at the end... I liked the juxtaposition of this very carefully controlled town on one side of the forest, and this very impoverished community basically next door. I thought you handled that perfectly by not making too much of a point about the difference in wealth etc, but just letting it be apparent through the story.... I really liked how the theme of fear played out through the script. I thought you did a good job of coming back to the idea without hammering it with unnecessary force... I think you did a really excellent job of describing the actual abduction scenes. The action was so clearly written that I could really picture everything happening. Also, I felt like I could really feel the characters' fear and anxiety in those scenes because the action was so well described! And the bow and arrow scenes at the end! Those were some of my favorite! I think you are a phenomenal action scene writer, and I feel like I learned a lot just from reading the action scenes you wrote! It was such fun to read, and I can't wait to see it on a big screen one day...”
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“The story itself feels like an original concept... The relatively low budget makes it especially appealing from a production standpoint, and the roles are all very castable. The story is built around a traditional 3-act structure, and clearly draws from the Hero’s Journey, but it’s done in a way that feels fresh. The mystery of the monsters and the question of whether John kidnapped those girls (and his friends) are compelling, and the inclusion of Egyptian and Native American mythological elements gives it all a strong cultural basis. John himself is a sympathetic character because of his self-awareness and his commitment to protecting his friends. The Guardians are a lovable bunch, and... would be easy for audiences to grow attached to. The twist (with the villain) at the end is unexpected and impactful, and he’s a satisfying antagonist throughout. The backstory behind the central conflict (John vs the Nomadz and their mysterious leaders) is interesting, and the script does a good job delivering that exposition organically without forcing it through on-the-nose dialogue. The script has good pacing, moving from one scene to the next without many lulls, and a good buildup of tension and mystery throughout (and highs and lows in between). There’s strong moments of horror, action, and potential for even stronger comedy throughout. There’s a good balance of dialogue and description. The descriptions are cinematic and efficient, so that the story reads like a movie on the page. The final act is especially cinematic, and closes up all the loose ends in satisfying, logical ways. Formatting, spelling, and grammar are all sound. The dialogue is strong...”
-(Zoetrope Virtual Studio/Coverfly X)
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"Overview: In a peaceful suburban neighborhood, a series of mysterious abductions sends shockwaves through the community. John Habit, an obsessive-compulsive professor, finds himself at the center of the investigation, as he delves into the world of Native American folklore and uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens to shatter his world. As he races against time to save his friends and family, John must confront his own inner demons and embrace his destiny as a protector against the forces of darkness...
Standout Features:
Unique Hook: The exploration of historical trauma and its impact on the present, as well as the protagonist's struggle with mental health and obsession
Plot Twist : The revelation of the community's dark secrets and the protagonist's family legacy
Distinctive Setting: The suburban gated community and outdoor locations add to the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere
Innovative Ideas: The use of Native American mythology and historical trauma as central themes
Marketability: It has the potential to attract a wide audience and generate buzz due to its unique blend of genres and exploration of compelling themes with a diverse cast.
Profit Potential: High, due to strong appeal to a wide adult audience and potential for award nominations.
Overall, 'Creatures of Habit' is a well-written and engaging screenplay with a strong premise, intriguing characters, and a compelling narrative... the screenplay's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The story's effective blend of suspense, mystery, and character development makes it a highly promising project with the potential to captivate audiences...
This screenplay exhibits a strong and engaging narrative with consistent high ratings across all scenes. The primary strengths lie in the effective establishment of tension, suspense, and mystery throughout the screenplay, as well as engaging dialogue and character interactions... Overall, the screenplay presents a captivating and intriguing story with a calculated average rating of 9.0."
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BREFNI O'ROURKE is a New York based screenwriter actively marketing all of his materials for possible sale or option. He is the author of more than 50 original feature-length spec screenplays, primarily within the action, suspense-thriller, and horror genres. The "cinematic Brefniverse" includes:
"The Awning", a supernatural thriller, was a quarterfinalist in the 2023 WeScreenplay Feature contests. It was named a finalist in the 2022 Story Pros International Screenplay Contest and has been awarded a Coverfly badge of - Top 6% of discoverable projects. In March of 2023 it made the Red List as the # 8 ranked thriller screenplay.
"Wake", a psychological thriller, was recognized as a semifinalist in the 2022 Creative World Awards. It was recognized as a quarterfinalist in the Final Draft/Big Break Contest (top 10% of entries) and the American Zoetrope contest. It has been awarded a Coverfly badge of being among the top 22% of discoverable projects.
"Descendancy", an action-thriller, was recognized as a Quarterfinalist in the Script Lab - TSL Free Screenplay Contest 2022 and has been awarded a Coverfly badge of - Top 18% of discoverable projects.
"Moving Day", a supernatural thriller, was recognized as a quarterfinalist in the 2015 Final Draft/Big Break Contest. It has been awarded a Coverfly badge of being among the top 34% of discoverable projects.
"Panopticon", an action-thriller, was selected as a "Notable Project" by Amazon Studios (one of only 50 projects recognized as such).
"God's Work", a supernatural action thriller was optioned by The Ferla Consulting Group.
"Threshold", a horror-thriller (cowritten with Elizabeth Rowin and Greg DeRochie) was optioned by Contribution Films. (http://www.contributionfilms.com/threshold.html).
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