The Shimian

Very well written film that had me laughing, emotional and jumping.

Just as you're enjoying the relatable family comedy you'll soon be on the edge of seat with twists and turns throughout.

There is something for everyone in this film. One I could watch over and over again. Acting was fantastic, characters well placed.

The character of the Shimian was full of mystery and left me wanting more. Costume was amazing.

The family dynamics are easy to relate to either for yourself or a family you know, this has you drawn in from the start.

Soundtrack was also amazing and hope to see it released following the movie.

The Shimian gives us a story of a family which is very relatable to modern audiences before serving up the screaming, blood, guts and usual horror elements later.

The first 30 minutes or so could appear a slow burner to some, but the time is used to build characters we care about (something I find lacking in most modern horror films). But during this time, there are a few scary moments to keep us on our toes and some genuine funny moments between the family.

Tensions within the family start to build as creepy events take place and we're put into their shoes wondering "What is a Shimian?". This is a question we're drip fed the answer to throughout the course of the movie, keeping that mystery and making us glued to the screen to find out more.

Visually The Shimian is a tale of two halves. Scenes in the woods are bright with bold colours and when things take a turn for the worst and the family end up in the abandoned manor house, the movie turns dark.

The soundtrack is one of the films highlights, with perfectly placed themes that draw the right emotion suitable to the scene.

The acting is top notch and although none of the cast are major stars (yet), they hold the film together with very believable performances.

Overall this is horror movie that is creepy, sometimes weird but ultimately touches your heart, a heart that maybe ripped out if you ever come across a Shimian.

Taking a trip to the countryside, a woman and her friend tag along with her family on a camping trip only to find that there's something or someone in the woods stalking them, and upon finding the cause is related to a demonic creature released by a curse must find a way to stop it and get away alive.

This was a pretty decent if slightly flawed genre effect. One of the strongest features here is the simplistic setup that provides this with some solid indie thrills. The family trip and the brief bits we get there about it offer enough to get an idea of what's going on as the hints of a dynamic relationship are a fine way to go about here. Seeing how their issues here provide a means of establishing the strained nature the trip is intended to solve plays a big role in getting us on their side while also getting them out to the woods. Once the group is out there, this one starts in nicely with the supernatural antics on display. Already aware of something malevolent due to the opening encounter, this one generates the fine start to these strange things happening throughout the woods. Starting with the encounter with the stranger to hearing noises in the darkness and the confrontation with the being outside the tent, there's a rather fun build-up here to the underlying suspense of the situation while also playing nicely into their burgeoning paranoia and mistrust with each other. That is brought about even further in the fantastic finale where the creature traps them inside the bunker and begins employing all manners of solid stalking and gory confrontations which give this a lot to like. There are some minor factors here that hold this back. One of the main issues here is the stereotypical arguing and confrontational work here involving the family at odds with each other. Featuring yet another instance of a moody teenager going after a new family member to the unit essentially during the first half out into a long slew of repetitive and cliched scenes doing nothing of interest, which is another slight issue. It takes way too long for things to connect here and the film's use of these scenes is a part of that, as alongside the rather obvious budgetary limitations that arise here are the factors that hold this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Graphic Violence.

Aptly, not much sleeping happens in "The Sleepless Forest", where most of "The Shimian" (2022) takes place.

There are a lot of great things to say about this film. My favourite thing? The music and sound. It lifts you when it needs to and lulls to pacify seamlessly. I have some new bands I need to look up.

The cinematography is equally SICK. There are so many more breathtaking scenes than the first one shown here.

I wasn't focused much at all on The Shimian itself. (sorry ya'll) That is because this is a character driven film where the interpersonal relationships and conflicts are truly the focus. The acting and dialogue for these evolving relationships are relatable and emotion filled.

There are some "OMG!", jaw dropping moments and scary beastie action for sure, no worries about that.

I really enjoyed this. I think you will too if you decide to give it a chance. On @tubi now!

Suspenseful, gripping and full of talent local to the west midlands. The shimian isn't handed to you on a plate and that creates such an atmosphere. The family unit draws you in and it makes you so much more frightened for their safety. There are some laughs, which keep you a part of that family unit and lower your guard just in time to force it back up again!

The soundtrack was great, not just the actual songs being played but also the theatrical stuff that made the atmosphere all the more heavy.

You notice even more the second time and I'm looking forward to the next film from these folks! Enjoy folks :)