Emilee

Yeah not the best horror movie out there. Wouldn't recommend, but if you're a fan of Creepypasta or horror in general- like to watch anything & everything, you may like it. Basically, these 2 characters find this game where you summon an entity into your home and have to survive it for 3.5 hours. I have seen reviews asking why would they play it if you get nothing out of it. But realistically, not many people believe in the paranormal so wanting to prove this 'game' isn't real makes sense that they would then play it. It doesn't make sense that Kelly (their 3rd friend who shows up) decides to join in. She already knows the story AND her friends just told her what happened to them, so it's beyond unrealistic that she would then join. It was a rubbish choice to introduce her purely as a throw away character. The acting for majority of the film was pretty bad aside from Lin Shaye. Some choices were also ridiculous, like Alex & Miles taking their sweet time to find another candle while Kelly is in danger.. not to mention their decision to kiss. Like not the time - also the doctor didn't help either. Aside from the bad acting in the beginning, the intro was pretty decent. Keeping viewers unsure of what the entity is or looks like, plus the shocker of killing kids within the first 5 mins. In saying that, just a pre warning that there is a tiny bit of gore in this movie. So yeah, overall wouldn't recommend. Little bit of a waste of time.

As a longtime fan of the game but also a witness to many adaptions being butchered, I went into this with an open mind. I think it was a great horror movie and the plot easily stood on its own whether you’ve played the game or not. Of course there is the aspect that it differs a lot from the game. First, the time loop plot was a cool concept especially because I think people forget the aim of the game is to get as many characters to survive until dawn… which ultimately means you keep replaying when character’s die. I also liked that every life they had, had a different threat. This meant that characters as well as viewers had no clue what to expect each revival. Second, the movie does a great job of creating a terrifying atmosphere and eerie feeling. If you’ve played the game, then you would expect the wendigos and some form of Josh’s (game character - the masked guy) character, but the other creatures and people plus the creative ways of dying (water, bug, ghost etc) are totally knew. I had no idea what was coming or going to happen. Third, game lovers really need to realise that adaptations are going to be exactly the same. If you want that just string together the game cut scenes. I would’ve loved to Hayden Panettiere & Rami Malek don’t get me wrong. But I can also appreciate the little ode to’s that they did include. Dr Hill? Come on, him being in it was awesome. Overall, I thought it was a good horror movie loosely based off a game. I would’ve rated higher if it hadn’t been so gory, was the worst, but also I’m wuss and had to skip parts. The wendigos were great, though some looked more like zombies - they could’ve been more grotesque and elongated. The scene with Clover in the tunnels with the traffic light was awesome - really showed off similar scenes of the wendigos in the game. Plus for the game lovers, the ending does leave the opportunity for the adaptation you crave.

I am actually quite unsure of why so many people don't like this movie. I found that Venom was actually quite enjoyable and when I realized that I still had an hour to go I was thrilled. I think my appreciation for the movie comes from the fact that I'm not interested in the comics and therefore have nothing to compare it to or expectations as to what should happen in the film. There is a surprising amount of 'brutal' scenes, but I think it actually made the movie quite genuine, not to mention give more personality to the Venom and shows the progression of the character as he has a change of heart and at the end. I loved the portrayal of Eddie and Venom. Though I do believe that it was supposed to be R-rated? Featuring more blood and gore and I am so glad that it wasn't so. The only thing that disappointed me was the fact that I waited so long to watch this movie. It was brilliant and I am so pumped for the second and hopefully the third.