Clearly pitched at teenage fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed and their supernatural brethren, The Covenant is a slice of hokum that falls far short of what modern horror-com fans are entitled to expect.

Renny Harlin's film is clumsily scripted and takes itself far too seriously, lumbering the good-looking cast with such gems as, "Someone's using powers, and I mean big time. And I intend to find out who!" and "Harry Potter can kiss my ass!"

Most of the leads have been cast for their looks rather than their acting prowess, and the film makes ample use of their rugged physiques, encouraging lads and lasses to strip off at every available opportunity.

Thus, the girls' showers have frosted glass doors to silhouette their nubile figures in the hot water, and the boys strut around in tiny, figure-hugging swimming trunks.

The ramshackle plot centres on the New England colony of Ipswich, where, in 1692, five families with untold power formed a covenant.

One of the clan was banished and the four remaining bloodlines have prevailed ever since. Four blood descendants of the original families are still coming to terms with their secret powers during a new school year at Spenser Academy.

The boys can shape-shift, defy gravity and perform amazing feats of strength. But these extraordinary feats come at a terrible price: every time they invoke their powers, the boys age.

If Buffy was still around, she'd plunge a stake through this pathetic film's heart and put it out of its misery. Don't bother spending your money on this one.