Disturbing and underrated.

Rating: Null/10 (12 June 2002)

Potential spoiler included. Event Horizon at the time it was released was completely marketed for the wrong audience. All of the previews and trailers portrayed it as Sci-fi/action but in fact it is one of the most disturbing horror films I've ever seen. I was completely taken by surprise. There are predictable horror elements and a few surprises and lots of blood and gore. There are truly some horrific images in this film. If you are "faint of heart" or susceptible to violent imagery do yourself a favor and pass on the unedited/theatrical release...TV version probably ok if you are still curious. If you like the horror genre you probably would like this film - though I make no promises.
But some specifics...for a horror film the cast is older than normal, but it is a great ensemble cast. Fishburne as the captain is a really cool character. We can really identify with Smith. In this film, unlike so many of it's genre siblings and cousins the black characters (there are 2) are not the first to die.
The production design is fantastic and disturbing in reflecting the dichotomy between heaven and hell. Buried in the film, God and Heaven are represented by all that we can see so thus the absence of all evidence as in a black hole represents Hell. Simply put the production design is as disturbing as it is impressive. There is little to no comfort to be had in this story. The sets themselves are cold, uncomfortable and dark complimenting the montages of torture and death. You are not supposed to be comfortable as you "figuratively" descend into the Hell Anderson creates.