Unwelcome

It's not the straightforward horror I thought it was going to be or the one it started off as. Maybe a lot of other people took issue with that. It quickly becomes a beautiful-looking but slightly creepy fairy tale, before becoming a silly, violent black comedy in the end. I loved it all. It is sort of a dark cottagecore fantasy tale and I know that aesthetic is got right now.

The acting and cinematography are great (especially Hannah John-Kamen, who straight kills it), the special effects not so much. Still a very pleasant surprise. I did not think I would be as throughly entertained as I was.

Unwelcome

Well this was a strange one, I can't say much otherwise I will let the cat out of the bag, but basically a pregnant couple inherit a house in Ireland only to discover their aunt had an unusual past.

It was a great Irish yarn built upon very little, it was very weird, very quirky, extremely contrived and I am sure I laughed in all the wrong places.

However, even with its incredible script and at times hammy acting it was a very entertaining movies. You know, it was so bad, it was good! With that said much was tongue in cheek anyway.

It's not for everyone, but horror buffs will enjoy this, as did I! I'm giving this a firm 6 outta 10, (Gremlins, Dobby or Star Wars, who knows!)

Maya and Jamie face a brutal attack at their home, the couple feel like they've landed on their feet when Jamie's aunt leaves him a house in rural Ireland. The gift comes with a strong condition, the pair have to leave food out for strange creatures.

It's a really bizarre mix of horror and comedy, it really is just plain bizarre, overall it's more good than bad. At times it's pretty messed up, and that opening sequence is really quite horrible.

The goblins look absolutely amazing, and are probably the film's strongest element, don't expect any bad CGI or cheap looking costumes, those guys look pretty cool.

I think it's pretty well made, I liked the visuals, I thought the music was spot on, a mix of eerie and ethereal, all elements made it flow at a good pace.

Snow White meets Hansel and Gretel meets leprechaun.

It's watchable enough.

6/10.

Theres something endearing about this odd film.

Initially the outdoors shots look eerie and as if they are filmed in a studio.

The central couple are not entirely convincing. Its not clear why she would be with such a socially inept and irritating loser. And he is really irritating.

The Irish stereotypes come thick and fast as we are introduced to a strange combination of characters.

Always nice to see Niamh Cusack.

The builder family are just too weird-but-played-straight to take seriously. Theres just no way you would have them in your house, having met them.

There are various other totally unbelievable plot points .

The first time I saw the red caps I laughed out loud. Noone else did (though there were only 4 people in the cinema). I laughed at various other points as it all became more unbelievable.

The red caps are actually quite likeable little chaps that seem to have a sense of humour as they kill or are killed.

The whole thing feels a little 80's straight to video, but thats not a totally bad thing. Its got a quirky likeable quality.

It goes off the rails in the last 20 minutes, leaving one to question what they have just watched at the end.

For about half an hour I was very worried that this film was taking itself way too seriously given the premise. The concept is simply too outlandish for that. Thankfully it surrendered to itself, and a slightly cagey first act gives way to a hugely entertaining final hour.

I won't delve too much into the story as I think going in knowing as little as possible will very much elevate the experience. What I will say is that it is a very predictable but very enjoyable story. When they let rip and ramp up the humour and the action it's a blast.

The performances are all pretty solid. Nothing stand out but they work.

In terms of horror, it isn't particularly scary. I do think that there was potential to make this much scarier and give it more impact, so there is definitely a missed opportunity there.

Compared to other folk horror films I've seen lately such as The Feast or The Witch, this one is much more tongue in cheek. It has more of a Barbarian feel to it and is all the better for it. Sure it is a little laboured at times and easily 10 minutes too long, but it is a really fun watch.