The Hive

It's not often that a horror movie comes along that leaves audiences questioning not just the plot, but their life choices in general. "The Hive" manages to achieve this feat, but not in the way the filmmakers intended. This so-called horror flick is more of a horror show, and not the kind you'd willingly pay money to see.

Let's start with the plot-or lack thereof. "The Hive" attempts to weave a narrative around a mysterious outbreak that turns people into mindless drones. It's as if the writers raided the reject pile of apocalyptic zombie movie scripts and decided to create a concoction of clichés that even the most forgiving horror aficionado would find hard to stomach. The story lacks any originality or depth, making it feel like a cheap knockoff of countless better films that have explored similar themes.

The characters in "The Hive" are as one-dimensional as they come. It's almost impressive how little effort was put into making them relatable or interesting. The protagonist, if you can even call them that, is a cookie-cutter, forgettable individual whose main purpose seems to be running from one poorly lit scene to another. The supporting cast, if you can call them that, might as well be cardboard cutouts with how much personality they bring to the table. As the film stumbles along, you'll find yourself caring more about your grocery list than the fate of these underdeveloped characters.

Now, let's talk about the cinematography-or lack thereof. "The Hive" seems to have a fetish for dimly lit corridors and shaky camera work that leaves the audience feeling disoriented for all the wrong reasons. If the intention was to create a sense of fear and suspense, the execution missed the mark entirely. Instead, it feels like the filmmakers simply forgot to pay the electricity bill on set, leaving viewers squinting at the screen in an attempt to decipher what's happening. The overuse of jump scares only serves to highlight the lack of genuine tension or atmosphere, turning what could have been a mildly entertaining horror romp into a predictable and tedious experience.

Special effects? Well, "The Hive" seems to have a budget that makes a high school play look like a Hollywood blockbuster. The makeup for the infected individuals looks like it was done by an amateur with a limited supply of red paint and a penchant for Halloween masks. The CGI is so laughably bad that it's hard to take any of the supposedly horrifying scenes seriously. At times, it feels like the film is trying to pay homage to the horror classics of the '80s, but instead, it comes across as a desperate attempt to cover up its lack of substance.

The soundtrack of "The Hive" is equally forgettable. If you've heard one generic horror movie score, you've heard them all. The film relies on the same tired tropes of screeching violins and sudden loud noises to trick the audience into feeling scared. It's a lazy and uninspired approach that adds nothing to the overall viewing experience.

Perhaps the most baffling aspect of "The Hive" is its pacing-or lack thereof. The film somehow manages to drag on and rush through scenes simultaneously, leaving viewers with a sense of temporal dissonance. At times, you'll be checking your watch, wondering if it's been hours since the movie started, only to realize it's barely been 30 minutes. The erratic pacing does little to build suspense or investment in the plot, and by the time the credits roll, you'll be left wondering why you wasted precious time on such a lackluster cinematic endeavor.

In conclusion, "The Hive" is a horror movie in name only. Its feeble attempt at crafting a compelling story, combined with lackluster characters, abysmal cinematography, subpar special effects, and a forgettable soundtrack, makes it a prime candidate for the "skip" button. Save yourself the agony and opt for a horror film that actually delivers on the promises of fear and entertainment. "The Hive" is a buzzkill of epic proportions that deserves to be swatted away from your watchlist.

"The Hive" is a chilling and innovative horror movie that captivates audiences with its unique premise, intense atmosphere, and memorable performances. Directed by a visionary filmmaker, this film pushes the boundaries of the horror genre, delivering an experience that is both terrifying and thought-provoking.

From the opening scene, "The Hive" sets the tone for a suspenseful journey into the unknown. The film introduces us to a group of characters who find themselves trapped in a remote location, facing a deadly threat unlike anything they've encountered before. As the story unfolds, the tension builds steadily, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn.

One of the standout elements of "The Hive" is its clever use of psychological horror. Instead of relying solely on jump scares and gore, the film explores the depths of human fear and paranoia, tapping into primal instincts that lurk within us all. Through expertly crafted suspense sequences and eerie visuals, the movie delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, leaving audiences questioning what is real and what is merely a figment of their imagination.

The Hive" apart from other horror films is its underlying themes and thought-provoking subtext. At its core, the film is a meditation on the nature of fear and the darkness that resides within us all, exploring complex themes of guilt, redemption, and the human capacity for evil. As the characters confront their own inner demons and grapple with the horrors of the hive, they are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world they inhabit, leading to moments of profound introspection and existential dread.

In conclusion, "The Hive" stands as a shining example of modern horror done right, offering audiences a thrilling and thought-provoking cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. With its innovative storytelling, compelling characters, and atmospheric visuals, this film is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the most seasoned horror aficionados. If you're in the mood for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, look no further than "The Hive."

Stumbling upon the 2023 movie "The Hive" by random chance here in 2024, I must admit that I opted to sit down and watch it without ever having heard about it. I liked the movie's cover, as it seemed interesting. And of course with it being a horror movie that I hadn't already seen, then I had to satisfy my craving for horror and watch it.

Writer and director Jared Allmond put together a script that might be entertaining if you are a newcomer to the thriller and horror genre. But I have been watching horror movies for about 40 years, so this was a mere walk in the park. And while it was a watchable enough movie, I found the narrative to be somewhat stale and slow paced.

Something that did work well in favor of the movie and the narrative, was the fact that the audience is kept in the dark by writer and director Jared Allmond. Now, that might be sort of a personal preference whether you like being totally in the dark or not.

The movie has a relatively small cast ensemble, but they managed to carry the movie well enough, as they put on good performances. I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in "The Hive" and that is something I do enjoy when I sit down to watch a movie.

"The Hive" proved to be a bit too uneventful and bland for my liking, and it was a bit of a struggle to sit through 86 minutes of a script that held no surprises or roller coaster ups and downs. Writer and director Jared Allmond set the course for a straight path and didn't as much as swerve or turn, and had made sure that there were no bumps along the path. And that made for a rather monotonous viewing experience.

And what was supposed to be a big reveal towards the end of the movie just had me outright laughing, because it was such a bizarre turn of events, and it just felt so incredibly ridiculous. Which leads us to the ending, which was, let's just say, anti-climatic to say the least.

My rating of "The Hive" lands on a very, very generous three out of ten stars. Ultimately, the movie's cover was actually the best thing about the ordeal.

The Hive" emerges as a beacon of terror in the vast landscape of horror cinema, delivering a spine-chilling narrative that will haunt viewers long after the credits roll. Directed with a deft hand and infused with a palpable sense of dread, this film immerses audiences in a nightmarish journey that transcends the confines of the genre.

At its core, "The Hive" is a gripping tale of survival against insurmountable odds. Set against the backdrop of a secluded cabin in the woods, the story follows a group of friends whose idyllic retreat takes a sinister turn when they unwittingly disturb an ancient hive buried beneath the forest floor. What begins as a weekend getaway soon descends into a harrowing fight for survival as the friends find themselves hunted by an unseen force that threatens to consume them all.