Horror Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2018)

This has been and will continue to be a polarizing film. Very unconventional horror. In some respects, it does what a traditional horror film aims to do. In other respects, it's a different thing entirely.
I went into this film knowing almost nothing. I didn't know about the rave reviews or about the people who hated it. But I found myself intrigued from the beginning.
The first thing I noticed was the acting was first rate. I don't mean first rate *for a horror film*. I mean first rate, period. (Even people I know who hated the film admitted that the acting was unbelievably good.) Some have said Toni Collette deserves an Oscar. I TOTALLY agree. But what I found astounding was that all the performances were phenomenal...even minor characters or ones who had just a couple lines. The supporting cast was first rate as well. Alex Wolff was just superb.
The next thing I noticed was a sense of evil that permeated every scene. I can't quite point it out. I don't know if it was the lighting, the strange score, the acting...there was just a sense of darkness from the beginning.
If you've read about this film, you've probably heard that some people laughed at times. My wife even laughed and she's scared of EVERYTHING. I've been trying to figure out why this is and I think I understand why. First, there is some very subtle humor intended by the director at times. But the main reason is I think the directing is so effective that it makes you uneasy. Many people when they are uneasy will laugh because they don't quite understand what to make of it. And since the horror is so unconventional, ordinary movie-goers can only laugh because the experience is very strange.
I don't want to give anything away about the movie. But I'll just say, in reality tragedy isn't like it is in typical movies. Tragedy is strange. Family drama isn't like Hamlet. It's awkward. It makes you uneasy. Emotions are weird. People's reactions to tragedy are weird. Death is incredibly bizarre and we as people don't know what to make of it.
I truly, truly hope this film won't be forgotten. And I'm fairly certain it won't be. It's going to be remembered. It's no PG13 popcorn horror. It's emotional horror and spiritual horror. It's pretty hardcore but in probably a different way than you've experienced before.
Popcorn suspense moviegoers might be a little turned off by this. Artsy horror fans might just find that this is the Godfather of Horror films.