2017

Director: Mike Flanagan

Genre: Horror Thriller

One thing I find really annoying about film reviewers is the majority of them want to get their review out as soon as possible. They probably start writing the instant they see credits start to roll. I feel like this mentality of "I've got to be the first one to say something about this new film" can lead to a bad mindset while watching the film. Because how do you know if you're actually experiencing a story, or if you're just thinking about how you'd phrase your review? 

Now, this film is based on a Stephen King story, and as some of you may remember from my review of It, I don't much care for that man's work. But this is a Mike Flanagan film, and as you can see from my review of Absentia, he's one of my favorite horror directors working today.

A wonderful amount of care and technical efficiency goes into his films. None of the shots feel like placeholders, and he's able to create tension and suspense through shot composition and subtle lighting changes.

I think what I enjoyed most about this film were small details. Things like how light coming through outside trees made the shadows in the room constantly move and flicker, or how Jessie's hallucinations occasionally glanced at one another like they're real people.

I also became very sympathetic toward Jessie. The moment when she spoke to the childhood version of herself was probably the highlight of the film for me. The idea of seeing who you used to be and realizing how little you've changed is scary. And it shows amazing determination that after realizing this, Jessie can put herself through so much pain in order to escape. 

And oh boy, was that scene when she sliced her wrist and pulled her hand out of the cuffs uncomfortable. It actually made me want to cover my eyes! I can't remember the last time I was affected by a gore scene in a horror film. 

Some horror films can feel stuck in the same pattern of overblown scares meant to illicit a reaction, but there are the occasional films that can break free and transcend into something new.

I would recommend chaining yourself to a bed after pressing play. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️