There's Something in the Barn

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!

Can't say it's bad.

The plot is very flawed, the acting makes no sense in most parts. It was classified as a dark comedy, horror and fantasy film. Only the fantasy part was kind of right, and even there is mostly due to the elfs reference than any fantasy at all. In the first half of the movie you get the feeling that the elf's are fast and hard to see, that would fulfill the fantasy part, then they slowly grade down to children in costumes moving slow and ultimately incapable of putting up a fight. That makes the whole thing kind of pointless and nonsense. I felt deeply diving into the "if only the remote was by the couch..." state.

Can't say it's bad either. It's a nicely shot flick, with nice landscapes and good pace. But still fails being horror, fails being comic, just...a regular Sunday afternoon nothing else to see and it's already on kind of movie.

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.

When a new age, nuclear, family pull up their American roots to relocate to Norway- after inheriting a "devil house" from the man's extended family- they try to fit in...but things don't exactly go as planned.

Because there is something living in their barn.

Their adolescent son quickly figures out what it is...and makes friends with it.

But no one believes him.

So when he tries to teach them the rules (on how not to piss it off).

They don't listen...and break every one of them.

However, it is one act that pushes things over the edge...

Thus turning this festive comedy into a complete horror show.

Albeit one made for children.

Is it the most innovative Christmas horror film ever?

No.

Is it the most gory Christmas horror film alltime?

Surely not.

Hell...it's not even the scariest Christmas horror film to come out of Norway.

But it's great fun!

With a decent amount of gore.

And a whole lot of laughs.

Though, not so much to make it unfit for kids.

So, if you are the type of family to watch an annual Christmas horror...and you got some kids you want to scare the "niceness" into.

This film is a great choice.

Norway definitely knows how to do it.

Except in the case of lutefisk.

Everyone hates that crap.

6 out of 10.

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.