Los condenados

GenX reporting-in from the first screening at our AMC. I see almost every horror film. This is the first of 2025, an Icelandic horror about malnurishment, regrets, ghost stories, alcoholism, and fisherman. The cinematography, scenery, costumes and acting are all Very well done, A++. Decent gore. I could understand most of the dialogue, but I wish my theatre would offer open captions for films like this. If I was at home I would pause and rewind parts. It's very good, but not good enough to view it again. In the end it falls short in its climax. Some of the horror is sliced-in or not on screen for long, cut short. But honestly we would be complaining if this film was longer, as its the perfect run time for a slow burner like this; Less boring that way. The landscape and vibe is haunting. Do you have to see this film in the theatre? A: No. If you have A-List or Movie Pass and extra time definitely check it out. It's almost great 6/10 for costumes, scenery and acting.

This is genuinely a film I can recommend to any die hard horror fans, or anyone interested in a genuinely facinating horror plot - The Damned is a unique start to the 2025 theatrical roster for sure. Fantastic acting, engaging story and an overall extremely beautiful piece of cinematic eye candy, some genuinely skin crawling shots and creepy story development, accompanied with a fantastic score and continual mystery, even to the final act. The film starts at a steady incline, filling us in slowly but surely, then dips into a horrifying second to mid-act, however when the ending and climax finally arrives, I personally felt it felt extremely rushed, alongside the ending. The finale and conclusion acts, although piecing together, falls apart so heavily to where it takes you entirely out of the mood by the time credits roll. This was an extremely worthy and interesting theatrical debut, but I feel audiences will not sync with the rushed-feeling ending, which is a shame, because this film from beginning before end was tense, gripping and genuinely unique. Still worth a watch.

The good reviews have me a bit confused to be honest. Overall this film was boring. Slow burn can be really good and intense but I just think this was too boring, it never felt like it really got going. I will say that the performances are all very good (for a script that is not) and I noticed almost immediately that the score is good. Visually it was somewhat enjoyable but a little bit same same and like I say there just wasn't a lot happening. People dislike the ending but I honestly felt like that could've been the best bit if there was just more plot armour leading to it. The film needed a twist to make it interesting but a rushed twist just annoys everyone and makes the whole thing very mediocre.

This 2024 co-production between Ireland and Iceland shows it's strength in its cinematography. It has beauty within the frigid temperaturea and stark landscape. It's storyline begins begin well with the first and second act, great introduction of hearing a woman's oral storytelling to the main cast.

Odessa Young, delivers a strong performance as the widower of a ship owner and its seaman crew. The rest of the films is a play of what you see as folk story to answer what it just human tragedy and conflict. Director Thordur Palsson co-scripted with Jamie Hanniga. Aside from Young, it stars Joe Cole and Lewis Gribben as the widow's sea crew.

Many reviews are in sort of agreement that in the films third act, it has flaws. I see it as a interesting plot twist or just fact about the life at sea. Palsson's direction captured the seafarer's concerns: about having the provisions, managing one's sanity on the boat whether its darkness or blinded by northern wind blasts.

As far as this film being marketed as a "folk horror" film, like others film it plays on surreal effects, then on just the folkloric. For the average horror fan, the film may not much to deliver. But for those seeking a steady story and outlook to landscape scenes - it's for you.

It's been a while since I've watched a horror movie, but today I decided to fill the gap, because it's rare to find a film that takes you back to such an early era. The action takes place in 1860 in an Icelandic fishing village lost in the ice. The nearest settlement is a three-day journey through snow-capped mountains, a real hell. The landscapes, especially the bay, emphasize the isolation of this place. Add to this the mystical folklore inspired by Scandinavian mythology and the eternal theme of lack of resources - and you get an eerie, disturbing atmosphere. From the first minutes, you feel how isolation, ominous tales around the campfire and the shadow of death weigh on the characters. The situation is fragile, as if ready to collapse at any moment. The film impressed with the choice of place and time, stunning scenery, impeccable camera work and acting. The plot keeps you in suspense until the end, although the ending seemed a little overloaded. A solid eight!