I watched this film based on a recommendation from a source I trust without checking the rating here on imdb(which I usually always do).
I was shocked when I saw the low rating here after watching the movie. Usually imdb ratings are very accurate but not for this movie.
This is a great movie. It is a thinking person's horror movie. I would call it a horror-drama. While it could be considered a slow burn the movie is engaging and gripping throughout.
That strong atmosphere combined with it's engaging nature is very effective. I hesitate to call it a slow burn at all because things are happening and developing steadily through the entire movie. And I found it to remain very engaging.
The directing is very, very good. The story is complex and the are a few significant plot twists. So you have to pay attention and keep tracking with it.
Now some reviews said it isn't horror. False. It is indisputably horror. Strong horror. I think why some viewers fail to see that is because it has substance and intelligence and artistry and that it comes from a whole different world than your 'slasher of the week'.
And there is some extreme gore in this movie and coming from me that's a significant statement.
It is a violent movie. It doesn't compromise on violence like some would lead you to believe.
It has a good story. No cookie cutter backdrop for violence here. The story can be a little confusing and you need to pay attention to get the whole story.
It has this wonderful mysterious element to it. Even with what's revealed in the film's final act the mysterious atmosphere persists right through the end credits, in a good way.
One thing I liked about the movie is that the main character, Poe, is a good and noble person and that comes across in a very authentic way. He is a likeable and very admirable character, which is unfortunately rare for a horror movie protagonist.
This is not an iffy, maybe it's good, maybe it's bad movie. It's genuinely a great movie.
It's well paced. An intelligent viewer will be drawn into the steadily developing story. The atmosphere is so strong. It's very well directed.
And it has a great story. It's very intelligent. It plays outside of the stereotypes. Perhaps that is why the unperceptive didn't like it.
