672 reviews
Horror movies are the easiest movies to review, most of the time you either like it or you don't. It's a genre where almost everything possible has been done before so to come up with an original story isn't the easiest thing to do. Eli is innovative I thought, it's entertaining from beginning till the end, and that mostly due to the constant mystery that hovers over the movie. There is a good portion of suspense, the cast is good, all actors did a good job creating that special dark ambiance. There are some nice twists so it's not that you will figure out the whole story immediately. As for the horror it might be mild for the hardcore horror fans but still it is entertaining. My wife is easily scared and so was she with Eli.
- deloudelouvain
- Nov 16, 2019
- Permalink
This was not a bad movie at all and some of the negative reviews on here are way off mark. It's not a scary movie, in my opinion, (unless you scare easily) but it is interetsting and entertaining. I like twists and this one had a decent one. If you like TV Shows like Supernatural or others like it then you will probably enjoy this movie.
- dwainereyes
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
First things first: it's not a very scary movie at all. It does have a few horror moments for a while, but they're nothing special. So if you want to be scared, this is probably not the best bet. However, the plot and the mystery is quite interesting. It's a decent supernatul mystery thriller, I'd say. The major twist at the end will most likely either have you hating or liking the movie as whole, as you can see from all the very mixed and polarized reviews here. Whether you like it or hate it, the good thing is that it is not at all predictable. Personally I kind of liked it.
- Eiriksterminator
- Oct 19, 2019
- Permalink
- SoumikBanerjee1996
- May 3, 2020
- Permalink
- MetalNickA
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
It's not exactly a horror as such, I would class Eli perhaps more in the psychological thriller genre, with some horror undertones. In the beginning it's full of suspense, and does offer up somemo e ts of horror, towards the end it changes up, and takes you to a place you won't be expecting to end up. It's somewhat unusual, but it's not without its merits.
Points for originality, effects and acting, on the debit side, the twist may be a bit too extreme for some, plus it was billed as a horror, and didn't really offer many scares.
Young Charlie Shotwell is the standout, and he's in some great company, mainly Kelly Reilly, although the young actor steals it.
Definitely better then some of the reviews would have you believe. 6/10
Points for originality, effects and acting, on the debit side, the twist may be a bit too extreme for some, plus it was billed as a horror, and didn't really offer many scares.
Young Charlie Shotwell is the standout, and he's in some great company, mainly Kelly Reilly, although the young actor steals it.
Definitely better then some of the reviews would have you believe. 6/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Nov 20, 2019
- Permalink
- feistybrit
- Oct 17, 2019
- Permalink
- patriklindqvist-71983
- Oct 19, 2019
- Permalink
I was really hooked by the Eli's trailer and I was waiting for this one. And it wasn't a disappointment.
Firstly, the plot is great ! It really leaves you to want more, trying to decode the mystery revolving around Eli, his illness, and the "clinic" where he is treated. And more importantly, it surprisingly manages to let you still wonder what the heck is going on until the ending twist, even when some keys elements are unveiled. Nicely done !
Secondly, the actors are OK in their roles. No outstanding performance, but there is no disturbing false note either. It's still a bit pity you won't feel that empathetic for Eli and/or his parents. Also, for the role she plays, you can feel it was a cakewalk for Sadie Sink coming from "Stranger Things". On this part, it could have been a little better.
The ambiance mixes supernatural and thriller with a bit of horror elements. And for once, some supernatural elements can be explained "logically" ! Kudos for that ! However, the movie is a bit slow paced and you'll have sometimes the feeling they tried to make it artificially longer.
To summarize, "Eli" is entertaining enough to enjoy the ride and has even enough material for a sequel. Give it a chance ! It deserves it.
Firstly, the plot is great ! It really leaves you to want more, trying to decode the mystery revolving around Eli, his illness, and the "clinic" where he is treated. And more importantly, it surprisingly manages to let you still wonder what the heck is going on until the ending twist, even when some keys elements are unveiled. Nicely done !
Secondly, the actors are OK in their roles. No outstanding performance, but there is no disturbing false note either. It's still a bit pity you won't feel that empathetic for Eli and/or his parents. Also, for the role she plays, you can feel it was a cakewalk for Sadie Sink coming from "Stranger Things". On this part, it could have been a little better.
The ambiance mixes supernatural and thriller with a bit of horror elements. And for once, some supernatural elements can be explained "logically" ! Kudos for that ! However, the movie is a bit slow paced and you'll have sometimes the feeling they tried to make it artificially longer.
To summarize, "Eli" is entertaining enough to enjoy the ride and has even enough material for a sequel. Give it a chance ! It deserves it.
- RedLion2074
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
- gabriellkramer
- Oct 19, 2019
- Permalink
Close! So close, but no cigar here folks. Two first acts that went down smooth and lovely and then that final one which simply put, ruined everything. Perhaps it is a rarer outcome sure, unlikely to predict, but just seemed way out of place.
Eli is a movie that came with a close to perfect horror script, seriously great acting, good atmosphere, but however you look at it, in the end most likely you'll feel disappointed. No cherry on the top, no fat lady singing, just a premise and an execution to match it, till the very end.
Sure, I will recommend this one, because it delivers far more and better than most such productions out there, don't try to guess the final act, no point into it really, just enjoy it for as long as you can. I hope it will seem more natural to you than it did to me.
Cheers!
Eli is a movie that came with a close to perfect horror script, seriously great acting, good atmosphere, but however you look at it, in the end most likely you'll feel disappointed. No cherry on the top, no fat lady singing, just a premise and an execution to match it, till the very end.
Sure, I will recommend this one, because it delivers far more and better than most such productions out there, don't try to guess the final act, no point into it really, just enjoy it for as long as you can. I hope it will seem more natural to you than it did to me.
Cheers!
- Patient444
- Oct 17, 2019
- Permalink
Nice twist at the end. It's not your typical everyday movie but it's worth watching. I hope there'll be a part 2.
- Orlando355
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
Sometimes we have to agree to disagree and that is the case with 'Eli'. With a low score on here I wasn't expecting too much but was pleasantly surprised.
A story that leaves you wondering what is going on, who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? The ending is effective and works very well. Give this a try.
A story that leaves you wondering what is going on, who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? The ending is effective and works very well. Give this a try.
- antide-42376
- Oct 5, 2021
- Permalink
Herky Jerky CGI kids. No thanks. If Friedken can pull off the Exorcist 50 years ago then this is beyond lazy filmaking.
- vaughnjw73
- Aug 6, 2021
- Permalink
- eelen-seth
- Oct 19, 2019
- Permalink
Cause it ruined the whole movie! Scare factor 1-10 it's a 3, all scary scenes are in the pre-views, it's still a decent movie, leaves you guessing throughout, but that ending....yikes, probably should of brought in a couple writers to hammer that out!
- Buriedaliesd
- Oct 26, 2019
- Permalink
Sometimes you come across a movie that sticks out. The acting is excellent, the story and characters are well written and the ending comes out of nowhere.
I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.
- kimcarlberg
- Oct 17, 2019
- Permalink
Well it wasn't terrible... I actually liked the scares in it but I kept waiting for the story to pull me in and it didn't. Felt like this was set up to be good and the story just didn't pick up then took a left when it should have gone right and the ending actually was terrible!
- chris_rocks
- Oct 17, 2019
- Permalink
- zdog-36810
- Oct 18, 2019
- Permalink
The movie started off great , really enjoyed this . Until about the last half an hour , where it took a totally different route , I think in an attempt to blow your mind but it just falls flat .
Actually don't and the music reference does not say anything about the movie either. Though I'm pretty sure they didn't just roll the dice on that one, but had some thoughts on it (biblical and all that). The name aside this movie is quite nicely structured and if you don't mind jump scares, you will have quite an entertaining ride.
There are certain twists that I did not see coming and others that I think were quite obvious. Whatever the case may be (or rings true for you), the movie will work for people who do like horror movies in general - do not let the flaws take the fun away from you. Good actors too btw
There are certain twists that I did not see coming and others that I think were quite obvious. Whatever the case may be (or rings true for you), the movie will work for people who do like horror movies in general - do not let the flaws take the fun away from you. Good actors too btw