Sydney Highfield

A funny and inventive new slasher, not really meant to be taken that seriously. It’s a good summer watch. Not super scary, though. Leans more towards action and suspense. I like that though.

I liked the atmospheric creepiness but I felt like the build up wasn’t worth it in the end.

I really enjoyed this one. It’s got an almost noir vibe. There’s an intensity to it with a side of paranoia and mystery. I watched it for a film class and this was the one that held up the most to the test of time for me. The pacing probably isn’t as high octane as a thriller that would be made today, but I liked that about it.

It’s more of thriller/satire than actual horror, but it is incredibly entertaining. A lot of people who don’t like this film are stuck on the horror/survival train and try to rationalize it. But you can’t rationalize a satire. It’s point is to make you laugh and horrify you by pointing out what’s wrong with society. It’s point is not to portray an accurate depiction of what people who do in a dine and die scenario. It’s very entertaining. It’s not scary. There is no cannibalism or jump scares. It’s also just a fun watch. Its a thriller satire that makes fun of rich people.

First 2 episodes were fantastic. Episode 3 just came out, though, and it was a major flop. Not nearly as interesting as the other two and the dynamic between Loki and the other main character in that episode (I don’t want to spoil it) wasn’t that entertaining. The whole thing felt like something I’d seen before. Also Loki seems to be becoming less clever and more like a buffoon with magic. I did really enjoy the other two episodes but the most recent one definitely left me feeling disappointed. And everyone I’ve talked to about it agreed. Here’s hoping for an improvement in episode 4. Fingers crossed.

*there are no spoilers in this review* It’s a very exhilarating show to watch, but it also has a lot of soft, relatable moments mixed in. Every character on the screen is fleshed out and you never know when someone is going to die. The animation style and quality is phenomenal as well. I think DC fans will especially enjoy this. It definitely has a similar vibe to the DC universe. It is also fairly inclusive to different races and orientations. It avoids stereotypes in very clever ways. It’s very good at subverting your expectations and keeping you guessing. Lots of twists and turns involved here. There is definitely an element of mystery involved that gets more and more intense as you go. It’s an exhilarating ride tempered by teen drama and family dynamics. The music and animation are phenomenal as well. The gore is the only hang up about this show. It’s extremely brutal and doesn’t pull its punches. It is easily the goriest show I have ever seen despite its deceptively pleasant appearance. I don’t mind it because I think it really adds something to the experience, but I completely understand why others would feel differently. It’s a lot. But don’t let that scare you away from a great experience.

(This is a no-spoiler review) It’s a very well done movie...but it’s not a very fun watch. It’s psychedelic, disturbing, and strange. It’s not for everyone. It’s not a jump-scare type of movie but it put me off for a while after watching. If you are easily triggered or have mental health issues, you may want to pick a different film. This is no monster movie. I wouldn’t even call it “scary” in the traditional sense. Its horrifying, but in a way that sneaks up on you. It’s like a bad drug trip. Still, I think it’s phenomenally executed. The director definitely did exactly what they set out to do. I also really liked the story and the main character.