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Description

“What, do I look like some kind of monster?”

So here’s something: I’m going to recommend a film from the very start - why? Because the more you go into this film blind, the more enjoyment you can get out of it. “Barbarian” is a film that presents a very simple premise: a woman goes to a house to stay for the night only to find it is occupied, and after the night finds the man from before is missing - and a hidden room in the basement holding something terrible. There’s a lot more to this film, not only in story but also in presentation and the way it tells it. So if you’re looking to see this film, definitely do so without reading more - but if you’re still interested in getting a review out of me before deciding otherwise (or because you just want to read) then continue on. I’ll do my best to avoid too many spoilers, but here are my thoughts.

The story follows Tess Marshall, who has booked a night to stay at a house while out traveling. Unfortunately when she does so, she finds a man named Keith who has also booked for a stay as well. Frustrated but without anywhere else to go, the two come to an agreement to stay the night in the same house and that the day after they’ll bring up their complaints to the booking company for the inconvenience. However upon waking up Tess finds Keith to be missing, and after a thorough search comes across a basement with a hidden doorway. Exploring further she finds an underground hallway with several rooms, and further on a tunnel system that goes deeper into the earth. There she comes across something monstrous, and over time not only tries her best to survive - but also learns what this creature is, and why it exists.

Starting on performances, they’re great and varied. There’s a very small cast of characters who become intertwined throughout the film, and the way they're introduced makes it seem like they’re unconnected, but reveals later how they do tie together both as they meet in story and also in the themes being at play within the movie. Georgina Campbell is great as Tess, who tries her best to survive against what is being put against her, as well having this fiery personality that would realistically react to the events throughout the story. The other characters are much smaller in presence and role, but they all do well - especially Justin Long as a man whose drama in film ties in theme to what occurs, and the tonal shift that occurs when he is introduced.

Speaking of that tonal shift further, it’s the thing that I most love about this film. “Barbarian” is able to mix horror well with some comedy, as well a shifting of time and place into such a way that it comes intriguing to watch just how it all fits later on. If you go into this film blind, you’re thrown in for some great surprises, and the direction it takes gives it an almost layered multi-story feel to it all. It’s watching a story where you get an insight to why all the horrible things that are happening are going the way they are, and how people who would otherwise never meet suddenly become known to each other. What’s great is that the pacing supports the story fantastically, never letting you get too relaxed as it keeps up a good momentum all throughout.

The effects are great, with a heavy emphasis in shadows to hide the monster’s appearance for most of the film. The design of the monster isn’t too creative, but it’s so disgustingly/wonderfully done that I have to applaud the effect’s team for their efforts. It doesn’t make too many appearances throughout, with it only truly being around within the second half of the film as a more active threat. It isn’t a lot, and I think the film makes good usage in the build-up to the monster’s introduction, and it also does well in keeping you suspense as to what it is that’ll be a threat in this film. Honestly, I got little to say - it’s fantastic.

I absolutely recommend this film, as I’ve stated in the opening. It’s something you should see with little knowledge, and I’m sure that if you do you’ll very much enjoy it.

Description

“What, do I look like some kind of monster?”

So here’s something: I’m going to recommend a film from the very start - why? Because the more you go into this film blind, the more enjoyment you can get out of it. “Barbarian” is a film that presents a very simple premise: a woman goes to a house to stay for the night only to find it is occupied, and after the night finds the man from before is missing - and a hidden room in the basement holding something terrible. There’s a lot more to this film, not only in story but also in presentation and the way it tells it. So if you’re looking to see this film, definitely do so without reading more - but if you’re still interested in getting a review out of me before deciding otherwise (or because you just want to read) then continue on. I’ll do my best to avoid too many spoilers, but here are my thoughts.

The story follows Tess Marshall, who has booked a night to stay at a house while out traveling. Unfortunately when she does so, she finds a man named Keith who has also booked for a stay as well. Frustrated but without anywhere else to go, the two come to an agreement to stay the night in the same house and that the day after they’ll bring up their complaints to the booking company for the inconvenience. However upon waking up Tess finds Keith to be missing, and after a thorough search comes across a basement with a hidden doorway. Exploring further she finds an underground hallway with several rooms, and further on a tunnel system that goes deeper into the earth. There she comes across something monstrous, and over time not only tries her best to survive - but also learns what this creature is, and why it exists.

Starting on performances, they’re great and varied. There’s a very small cast of characters who become intertwined throughout the film, and the way they're introduced makes it seem like they’re unconnected, but reveals later how they do tie together both as they meet in story and also in the themes being at play within the movie. Georgina Campbell is great as Tess, who tries her best to survive against what is being put against her, as well having this fiery personality that would realistically react to the events throughout the story. The other characters are much smaller in presence and role, but they all do well - especially Justin Long as a man whose drama in film ties in theme to what occurs, and the tonal shift that occurs when he is introduced.

Speaking of that tonal shift further, it’s the thing that I most love about this film. “Barbarian” is able to mix horror well with some comedy, as well a shifting of time and place into such a way that it comes intriguing to watch just how it all fits later on. If you go into this film blind, you’re thrown in for some great surprises, and the direction it takes gives it an almost layered multi-story feel to it all. It’s watching a story where you get an insight to why all the horrible things that are happening are going the way they are, and how people who would otherwise never meet suddenly become known to each other. What’s great is that the pacing supports the story fantastically, never letting you get too relaxed as it keeps up a good momentum all throughout.

The effects are great, with a heavy emphasis in shadows to hide the monster’s appearance for most of the film. The design of the monster isn’t too creative, but it’s so disgustingly/wonderfully done that I have to applaud the effect’s team for their efforts. It doesn’t make too many appearances throughout, with it only truly being around within the second half of the film as a more active threat. It isn’t a lot, and I think the film makes good usage in the build-up to the monster’s introduction, and it also does well in keeping you suspense as to what it is that’ll be a threat in this film. Honestly, I got little to say - it’s fantastic.

I absolutely recommend this film, as I’ve stated in the opening. It’s something you should see with little knowledge, and I’m sure that if you do you’ll very much enjoy it.