Barbarian

I had really low expectations when it started because because it begins exactly the same as "Weekenders" did which really wasn't a great movie, different genres though. Over half an hour in I still wasn't sure where exactly the movie was heading, but when things turn dark the thrill starts, old school horror-esque.

My only complaint, which unfortunately seemed like it was done deliberately, is that once the horror starts, the movie introduces a completely new character arc and you have to wait for it to build up all again, it purposely teases the eerie stuff which is frustrating because you know the good stuff's coming but not yet. And it does this several times, keeps resetting which makes the second act seem off paced but it all comes together in the end.

It was a conventional horror like you'd remember in the 2010's, not really prismatic or director trying to reinvent the wheel; it's just people stuck trying to escape from something in a 'haunted' house. And I like how there was still logical explanation, albeit a disturbing one. A few details that weren't explained, didn't seem to have the time to as it tries to introduce all the characters properly.

The last act of the movie is all eerie, it however doesn't climax as hard as I anticipated, thought they'd have more fight but it still did a pretty decent job and the finale scene was sensible end. Almost everything about the movie was better than I expected, I suggest going in blind.

For most I think this is one of those either you love it or you hate it movies. After viewing a couple of days ago I still am having issues deciding on which side of that divide I fall. For me, the opening act was exceptional. Skarsgård was fantastic in his role and Campbell also played her part excellently ( for the entire film really), but the two together had a perfect horror chemistry for me. I really was craving more screen time with both of them.

The movie then tries to combine a couple different backstories and attach them all together. I would say this was done with moderate success. The exposure of the character flaws was achieved through these backstories that helped the movie display the themes it set out to, however I felt a lot of time was wasted on irrelevant scenes. I suppose this was an attempt to keep you on your toes, but after knowing how the story ends I would have liked other areas of the story to be explored in a little more detail. Specifically, focusing a little bit more on "the mothers" history could have been quite powerful and informing. Instead, the audience is tasked with having to sort of use its imagination to envision exactly how "the mother" became what she is.

Overall, it was fine, loved some parts and hated others. However, I definitely don't see how this would ever be elevated to the level of a "classic".

The good thing about the film: the setting. It's just wonderfully creepy when there's a huge vault under a "normal" house, which is then discovered by the protagonists.

But what doesn't work at all is the plot, because almost none of the protagonists' behaviour makes sense. They consistently make decisions that no normal person in their right mind would make. And so the plot is not driven by authentic behaviour of the characters, but only because the script wants it to be. And you can see this in the movie almost all the time.

If you always tell yourself while watching: I would never do that, what he or she has done now, then that is evidence of bad writing and ultimately of a bad film.

A lot of great things can and should be said about Barbarian. It's a masterfully directed film; Creggor always shows us just enough in each shot that we're left wondering about what's lurking in the empty space on the frame.

The first two-thirds of the film are tense when it's quiet and shocking when it's loud. It kept me on my toes for nearly the entire time, which is refreshing for my desensitised eyes.

Efficient work is made of the character introductions. Cregor's script doesn't waste time at the beginning of each character's story. We get to know exactly what we need to know about each of them as a person before they get thrust into the metaphorical depths of hell. It makes the eventual carnage all the more nerve-shredding because no character is disposable.

So, yes, the film is good. But it's not all good.

The film's narrative and pacing are not nearly as compelling and tight, respectively, as they should be due to the fact that it tells the stories of three separate sets of characters (one after the other) before getting to the finale.

Also, the film's last act really took a dive into campy and I found it to be a betrayal of the rest of the story's bleak tone.

The final set piece is so out-of-left-field and ridiculous that it became unintentionally hilarious for me.

This may seem like a minor complaint, but when the ending of the movie leaves a bad taste in my mouth, it kind of sours the whole experience.

I wanted this to be better than it was. But it's still so tense throughout its majority and the many twists are so satisfying that I do heartily recommend this subversive horror flick.

This movie is textbook, to a T, the very definition of a cult film. This is the most "culty" film I've seen since rocky horror.

I don't really want to say much (or compare this to other films) because anything written will give expectations and this film is absolutely best if you go in blind and with zero expectations. I would really, really recommend avoiding all reviews and any discussion of this film prior to seeing it. If you're a horror fan this movie should be at the top of your list.

I will say that the person who made the trailer deserves a major award because the trailer gives away *nothing* at all, which is exactly how a trailer should be and trailers like this are so rare.

7/10.