***Moving ending, but dull protagonist and meh mystery about life & death***

A tragedy drastically changes the lives of four Chicago college students when one of them dies.

“Soul Survivors” (2001) is a haunting mystery/drama with horror/thriller elements. It has the tone & setting of “Urban Legend” (1998), but without the slasher aspect. It’s also reminiscent in some ways of “An American Werewolf in Paris” (1997), albeit obviously omitting the lycanthropes.

The production values are top-notch for the genre and era, but I found Melissa Sagemiller uninteresting as the protagonist. However, Wes Bentley, Casey Affleck, Eliza (No Booty) Dushku and Angela Featherstone are all interesting.

The problem is that the story isn’t compelling enough, although the climax is revelatory and moving. Speaking of which, the movie’s a mystery concerning life & death issues. It brings to mind a cult film from the early 60s, but I can’t say its name because I don’t want to give anything away. While “Soul Survivors” recalls that flick, it’s different enough to stand on its own. So even if you go in knowing it shares plot elements with that particular film it won’t ruin your viewing experience.

The movie runs 1 hour, 24 minutes, and was shot in the Chicago area, including Evanston and the corresponding Northwestern University.

GRADE: C