There's Something in the Barn

I love horror movies and ever since Dead Snow and Troll Hunter I also really enjoy Scandinavian horror movies with a snowy setting, so I thought I'd give this a try.

I had no idea what this movie was about and I was pleasantly surprised when I found out who or what the antagonists are. Minor spoiler but this movie really reminded me of a British movie from last year called Unwelcome. The premise is really similar except that this one place in the snow during Christmas time.

We have an American family that moves to Norway and has to deal with some sort of fish-out-of-the-water situation because they have cultural differences from the locals and while the parents are trying to fit in, the moody daughter just wants to go back and her little brother finds something mysterious in the barn.

Basically we have a pretty stereotypical family situation and some also stereotypical side character's, especially the towns Sheriff who was the main comedic relief which sometimes worked and sometimes not so much.

This is a lighthearted comedy with some horror aspects and some gnarly kills and I overall enjoyed the watching experience. This might not be some Christmas classic like Gremlins but it could still be an annual watch for me during the Christmas time. [5,9/10]

There's Something In The Barn is a Norwegian horror/comedy, easy to watch, not really hilarious nor frightening. Most of the movie is in English as it is an American family moving into a house they inherited in Norway. There's is some Norwegian but almost every Norwegian speaks English with their typical funny accent. The elves speak an non-existent language, they're not really scary looking, just mean if you don't treat them well. The acting was okay, the story as well but it's nothing you will remember in the future. In short, it could have been funnier and it could have been scarier. Well shot so worth a watch.

I've watched this today at Sitges Film Festival and I had a good time, but it was probably thanks to the crowd, who were doing jokes and clapping all the time.

Now let's see. The photography is really good, mostly because Norway is a beautiful country.

The film in general is really funny, and their comedy style is really enjoyable (even more if you aren't neither American or Norway).

You could call this a familiar Christmas movie, but adding it a sadistic side in the last part of the film.

About the plot, it's kind of predictable most of the time, but I've never seen a movie with an evil norway elf, i don't know if you did, but it's not exactly common (which makes it better).

One last thing, the acting was really bad, like probably the little kid was the only one who did a kind of good acting, and the Santa guy.

I recomend this movie? Yes, if you have nothing else to do.

A watchable piece of escapist nonsense, suitable for Christmas viewing if you really can't find anything better to watch. The plot is daft in the extreme, the comedy rather mild and the horror weak. The elves looked like they had just stepped out of a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs production. It really fails at just about every level, except for huge dollops of sentimentality which got more and more difficult to digest as the film went along. It certainly won't be making it into the league of Christmas films that regularly get screened over the Christmas period. I'd be surprised it if resurfaces next Christmas.

An American family head to Norway, to move into a home that they've inherited. They find life very different, and discover something very strange and very dangerous living in the barn.

It's better than the score on here would suggest, compared to most of the Christmas films I've seen recently, this is way better. This was a fun film, an adventure that's suitable for most of the family.

There are several fun scenes, the first big attack was nicely done, and the elves looked really good.

It's very corny, and they really did go overboard with the loud, over the top American family, who of course are into self help and garish Christmas decorations, that syrupy mother and daughter moment was so naff.

I chuckled at that scene where the dad says that Norway is the most friendly place on Earth, I've been twice, even many Norwegians will admit, many Norwegians are very reserved.

7/10.