Firstly, this movie looks great, shot with a sense of coldness and foreboding that chills to the core. The build up of rain throughout sets the tone for the absolute insanity that is to eventuate. Faultless casting gives the movie wheels with standout performances from Sally Hawkins unleashed Laura and Billy Barrattโs Andy.
Hereโs the problem with the movie for me.
Whilst I enjoy some gore in a horror movie I couldnโt get past some of the ultra-realistic visual elements chosen by the directors. Cut to the Ollie rockmelon & knife scene, one of the most insanely real and haunting snippets you will find in the entire catalogue of box office cinema. I fail to see how necessary some of these violent takes were. Is it necessary to show a realistic portrayal of drowning a 17 year old boy? A blind girl giving her dead father mouth to mouth CPR?
Quite early on and as the story unfolds a feeling of absolute hopelessness sets in, with very little offered in terms of lightness or optimism. Whilst grief is tough and relentless, to paint an entire movie with the same brushstroke just makes for a massively depressing viewing experience.
I donโt want to see a movie like this ever again and as well as it is made, I canโt recommend it to anyone.