The Greatest Horror Film Ever Made

Rating: 10/10 (1 November 2013)

"12 years a Slave" is quite possibly the greatest horror film ever made. Somewhat in the same vain as a Hitchcock masterpiece where an innocent main gets kidnapped and abducted then the plot thickens. But in this case he is thrown into slavery. Once the story arch arrives at him being and realizing he is a slave it quickly becomes a series of events of immense suffering. Beatings, hangings, rape and intense psychological torment all follow. But it's not just torture porn. All scenes with excruciating pain are framed with an almost nihilistic and dispassionate eye.
The suspense arrives when you begin to anticipate the next agonizing act. McQueen's direction has scary continuous long shots that depict the harsh reality of American slavery. There is one long shot of a possible hanging that left me in a dark trance. The movie's sonic landscape is full of atmospheric drones, violins, and old Negro spirituals. The acting is impeccable. The pacing is brilliant, you feel the deep weight of time. All aspects lead toward creating an immovable sense of dread.
With Hunger(harrowing depiction of the Bobby Sands hunger strike), Shame (disturbing depiction of a sex addict), and 12 Years A slave(depiction of slavery). Steve McQueen has become a post modern horror film savior.