"Alison's Birthday" focuses on the titular 18-year-old Alison, an orphan who, at 16, had a bizarre experience with some school friends while playing with a Ouija board; during the session, one of her friends became possessed by someone claiming to be Alison's father, warning her that something terrible would happen on her 19th birthday. Fast forward almost three years, and Alison goes home to visit her aunt and uncle (both of whom raised her) on the occasion of her 19th birthday. Naturally, things do not go as planned.
This obscure Aussie occult horror flick is a heck of a lot better than its kitschy "head in a birthday cake" cover artwork might suggest. Though not a masterwork by any stretch of the imagination, "Alison's Birthday" is well-made and tightly-wound. I have read some criticism regarding the film being too plodding, but I personally was engaged from the very beginning, and found it very deliberately paced. As the film progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer what is happening to our poor title character, but, as with a car accident, you are compelled to keep looking.
Though it is not particularly scary, it does contain a number of haunting images--it is really more of an occult mystery/thriller than it is an outright horror film. It benefits from solid performances from Joanne Samuel as the title character, as well as Lou Brown as her curious boyfriend who gets wrapped up in some almost "Scooby Doo"-esque hi-jinx (including consulting his New Age astrologer friend) as he attempts to unravel the mystery behind Alison's birthparents and her bizarre aunt and uncle.
The film ends on an appropriately dour note, but it is a satisfying conclusion as it really could not end any other way. All in all, I found this to be a highly-satisfying film that is very meticulously telegraphed; unlike some of its schlockier peers, "Alison's Birthday" pays attention to the finer details. While not a perfect film, it is much better than most would anticipate it to be. 8/10.