javan23

Flanagan has written, adapted and directed some of the best horror of the past decade. But while Usher treads all of the familiar territory of a Mike Flanagan production (large family, unresolved trauma, Catholicism, emotional ghosts, long monologues) it simply lacks the charm and intimacy we've come to expect. Yes it has its satisfying moments, and Mike sure knows how to create intrigue. No matter how unpleasant the subject matter. However, the script and performances are just so obnoxious, it feels like Rian Johnson's brain numbing Glass Onion. Not pleasant to watch these stiff characters pretend to hate each other. And frankly watching distasteful people get their comeuppance is what I call shallow entertainment. I know these characters weren't written by mistake. But I just prefer the warmth found in Flanagans previous works.

As a Tarantino fan, I am not opposed to fun in my movies. What sometimes people mistake for "style over substance" is often just creative filmmaking that sticks out because it is disrupting the casual way we watch movies and how we rely on predictable beats to follow along. However! This film is so indulgent. Lame jokes, lazy characterization and so many storytelling redundancies. I am not one of those people that groans at a movies runtime. But this film does not have a story deserving of 140 minutes! I do believe there is a much more palatable movie hidden somewhere in the middle of this marathon. Johnson claims to want each subsequent Knives Out film to be completely unique. New characters, setting, theme, etc. But he seems married to the 2.5 hour movie despite it not serving the story in this case. There is still a lot to like. Especially Daniel Craig, (who was under utilized). But I was definitely disappointed after a strong original production last time around.

The characters feel grounded and make choices that feel right in the moment. They actually need to be convinced to do stupid things. Risks are taken by each person involved in a way that is proportionate to their circumstances (Which is sort of one of the points of film). These sorts of details are important to me in a movie like this.

There is a palpable sense of dread and terror created via the slow revelations about our villain.

However, I will say that the ending, while effective, is underwhelming. I cannot claim to have a better suggestion, but it felt too abrupt. Anvari feels like he was holding back. The build was perfect and warranted more of a release than was provided. Still, an excellent movie and my feelings about the ending may change upon subsequent viewing.