The Front Room

Okay this is definitely one of A24's worst films because as much there are some aspects I appreciate, it fails to take advantage with it's concept and becomes a mess.

The Eggers Brothers crafted a somewhat interesting horror flick with some interesting concepts within its setting and strong performances from Brandy and Kathryn Hunter. Unfortunately, these positive aspects are thrown into the back due to its poorly written narrative that struggles to focus with its themes, characters that are uninteresting and annoying, and a third act that just goes nowhere.

Based on the story from Susan Hill, I'll be honest, the story felt as if it was a bit stretched out too long as it ends up making some narrative choices feel weak and creating some pacing issues. Including gross moments that feels like it wants to be mean-spirited but unlike being in a creative way, it feels forced. There are some solid camera work and presentation.

Overall, the Eggers Brothers prove that they have talents to craft something but this movie probably works better as a short film.

Elderly widow Solange (Kathryn Hunter) offers to share her wealth with her estranged stepson Norman (Andrew Burnap) and his pregnant wife Belinda (Brandy Norwood) so long as the couple agree to take her into their home. However, the old woman begins to make trouble from the moment she moves in, her controlling nature, extreme religious beliefs, bizarre behaviour and chronic incontinence putting pressure on Norman and Belinda's relationship. Does the malicious old lady have a secret agenda - a sinister reason for wanting to drive a wedge between her stepson and his wife?

Well, no, actually, and that's the big problem with The Front Room: after plenty of well-executed build up, the film fails to deliver a satisfying payoff, the ending coming as a total damp squib. The misleading trailer hinted at Solange possessing dark, supernatural powers, her reasons for wanting to live with Norman and Belinda being far from Christian; however, rather than revealing the woman to be a member of an evil cult out to possess the body of Belinda or steal the life-force of the couple's child, Solange turns out to be just an ordinary obnoxious old bag, albeit one who regularly craps the bed. Writer/directors Sam and Max Eggers attempt a twist at the end of the film, but it's extremely weak, neither clever nor surprising.

To be fair, I had a pretty good time with most of the film, largely thanks to Hunter as Solange, who is absolutely hilarious, clearly having a blast playing a cantankerous, manipulative old crone in an adult diaper. It's just a real shame that the Eggers couldn't wrap things up in a more satisfying manner.

Don't get me wrong it has a lot of thing wrong with it but if the movie actually had a point it would be a great movie.

There was just something about it that made me feel so uncomfortable.. maybe it's because I was waiting for something bad/spooky to happen. The whole time I was sat there watching it, I felt scared and I haven't watched a movie like that in ages.

However, the storyline let it down for me. It didn't make much since.. was the Mother in Law psychic? Did she have special powers? Or was she just crazy? None of it was explained. I really liked the ending as well but I just didn't get the point of the movie. Maybe I'm just missing something.

It wasn't half bad though to be fair and I didn't get to a point where I just wanted to turn it off. I wanted to see what happened at the end. It kept me on the edge of my seat.. if anything, how uncomfortable it made me feel it what made me want to turn it over. Which I think is a good thing for a horror/thriller.

Also I think Kathryn Hunter (Mother in Law) carried the entire movie. Her acting was phenomenal and to be honest the only reason I kept watching for so long.

Felt tricked by the trailer it was not really a horror movie at all. The movie was mostly about a mother in law that goes to the bathroom on herself & smeares it everywhere not joking around. This film was overall disgusting. Half of it was the mother-in-law character defecating herself. This was more unintentionally funny than anything else. This movie as a whole is a no rating This is possibly one of the lack of enjoyment. The old step-mother's role is so annoying with her voice and the things she does. The movie just made no sense to me. I wanted to leave, but I ordered food with the movie so I figured I might as well get my monies worth. I will never recommend this movie to anyone, not even an enemy. If you come across my comment, do NOT go see this.

The trailer for this film is misleading. The movie is very unserious, but it knows it and it leans into it. The Front Room has a very simple plot, simple dialogue, and no gore. But what it does have in abundance is a sense of humor. Thanks to a great performance by Kathryn Hunter as the elderly mother, this movie is just downright entertaining at the end of the day. You realize about 10 minutes in that it's not going to reinvent the wheel; the writing is not going to be exceptionally clever. But in spite of all that the audience in my theater couldn't stop laughing throughout. So if you're in the mood for some dark humor and camp, it's definitely worth a look. 6.5/10.