The prologue of the film introduces us to a draconian maternity home in Nova Scotia (two true facts…tick) for unwed mothers. But it incorporates enough of the reality to give a premise which doesn’t really hone it’s second or third acts enough to work effectively. As is so often the case, the film takes huge liberties with the facts of the real life events the story is based on (which itself is a very interesting, if macabre read – look it up!). The Child Remains is about an expectant couple’s intimate weekend that turns to terror when they discover their secluded country inn is a haunted maternity home where unwanted infants and mothers were murdered. Such is the case with the Canadian horror film The Child Remains, inspired by the infamous “Butterbox Babies” case in Nova Scotia, Canada. It sparks something internally that makes me want to watch. I’m frequently intrigued by movies which claim to be based on true events.

But while genuinely creepy in parts, it doesn’t quite deliver. “The Child Remains” begins with a great premise and shows a lot of promise.

Intitleindex of the child remains 2017