Hay algo en el granero

Plot

An American family fulfills their dream of moving back to their roots after inheriting a remote cabin in the mountains of Norway, but there's a surprise waiting for them.

Cast

A few vaguely familiar faces but only Martin Starr I could actually name.

Verdict

When the credits rolled on There's Something in the Barn myself and the wifey looked at one another with a smile and a head nod. The universal sign of, meh it was watchable and this we both agreed.

A multi nation collaboration the film has a sufficient budget to pull of what was intended and really does look the part. Great cinematography, solid visual effects and the sheer beauty of Norway.

Now let me be clear, this is considerably more a comedy than a horror. It does have elements granted, but this is borderline a family film. It has charm, it has laughs, it has great visuals. It does also have a lot of questionable writing, doesn't flow very well and Starr is simply not a leading man.

There's Something in the Barn is absolutely worth your time. You'll forget it within moments of watching it, but it's passable stuff.

Rants

Martin Starr is that guy who pops up a few times throughout the movie, delivers some memorable one liners and vanishes. You know what he's not? A leading man. Too much of him feels weird and just doesn't work. He's a secondary character, he's a bit character, he's most certainly not to be placed front and centre for 90 minutes. I like the guy, but he's just not lead material.

The Good

Fantastic visuals Martin Starr (For the most part) Some decent ideas

The Bad

Some weak writing Odd pacing Weak lead Too many Christmas songs!

The Nordheim family is moving from California to a remote farm in Norway. Bill Nordheim (Martin Starr) had inherited the place from his uncle. Carol (Amrita Acharia) is his new wife and stepmother to his children. Teen daughter Nora is angry with the move away from her friends. Young son Lucas discovers an elf infesting the barn.

This is a horror comedy. The horror part is ok although they may have shown the elf a little too soon. I would have kept him in the dark for longer. The comedy is mostly Martin Starr being Martin Starr. Initially, the casting of the kids didn't make sense. I don't see them as Martin Starr's kids. The stepmother part helps a little, but I still don't buy them as Starr's kids. The daughter is a drag until she starts using the bat. There are some fun kills and the multitude of elfs is chaotic fun. In the end, this is not that good, but it has a few fun moments.

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.

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.