Absolutely Phenomenal

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2020)

This is what horror should be as a genre
This isn't a jump scare-dependent movie. In fact, it doesn't even deal strictly in fear. This movie offers up a full range of human emotions, both for the characters and for the viewers. It was really an immersive experience, taking its time to craft a rich and interesting story that you couldn't help but watch no matter how grim the movie eventually became.
The writing was absolutely phenomenal, the script was a harmonious marriage of sound and vision, the acting - with particular nods to Toni Collette and Alex Wolff - was nothing short of perfection, hitting every emotion head-on. There wasn't a moment in this film that took me out of it, in the acting or in the special effects, which are easily the 2 most damning elements of a poorly made movie for me.
Overall, this was an extremely well-done movie, and one I would absolutely watch again in the future. This restores my faith in my favorite genre, a landscape that has fallen victim to unsolicited jump scares to maintain its impact. There's none of that in this movie. It lays out a well-written story and earns its scares and suspense genuinely and honestly. It was a pleasure to watch, and I can only hope that this will help set the blueprints for the next wave of horror films, because this is the kind of thing the genre has needed for quite some time.