Best Horror Film In Years

Rating: 10/10 (11 September 2016)

Let me start by stating that I am a huge fan of horror for many years. I have been very disappointed in the majority of new horror releases for a while now. I had really high hopes for this film and it did not disappoint. Now, this film is not for everyone. Either you will love it or hate it. I feel there is no in between. The complaint most had with the film was the dialect. This is a little jarring at first but you will get used to it. It's a period piece set during 1630 in New England and I can appreciate the authenticity. A lot of research was done in making this film including reviewing documents of this period in time. It really shows and you will transported to this place and time. Also, you get a real sense of the consequences of religious fanaticism. You understand how difficult it must have been for someone who had been labeled as evil and how easily it could have happened. Every difficulty and hardship was instantly blamed on an evil presence which in itself is scary. At first, I was unsure if what was happening was real or imagined by the film's characters and this was very effective. The acting was spot on and some of the best I've seen in a horror film since I don't know when. You can feel each characters struggle and in the end their utter hopelessness. The whole atmosphere of the film was of desperation and despair. It does build slowly increasing the tension and suspense which a good horror film should do. The score was excellent and added to the suspense. The film overall had a disturbing and unsettling vibe to it that I found hard to shake even after leaving the theater. I immediately was reminded of The Shining in the overall feel and look of the movie. It also felt somewhat like a dark fairy tale. If your easily bored this is not the film for you. It will require your full attention. There were people actually leaving in the middle of the showing when I saw it. But I was transfixed and memorized in a way I haven't been in a long time. It was as if I was watching something I shouldn't be but could not make myself look away. There are no jump scares, tons of gore, or typical horror clichés. And if your're not a fan of period pieces this might not be your thing either. I think if a person is open and willing to tolerate the dialect, you will see it for the masterpiece it is. This was storytelling at it's absolute best. It's dark and disturbing, just what I like my horror to be.
BTW, if someone plans to write a negative review on this film or any other for that matter, please do not say "I want this period of time in my life back". That's not original nor clever and completely overused. It should be banned from anyone's review IMO. This is even put in the title at times so please just stop.