In a world where movie trailers are used to promote an upcoming movie teaser to an official movie trailer, it’s difficult to avoid the promotion of movies. Trailers can create hype or low expectations, while also giving too much of a film’s story away. Sometimes, it’s best to avoid the marketing altogether and go in sight unseen, which is exactly what I did with Barbarian.
It’s difficult to write a review of a movie that I don’t want to spoil any part of, but here we go.
In Barbarian, Tess (Georgina Campbell) is in a panic scenario. She’s clearly got to an Airbnb a little too late in the day. It’s storming, there’s no key in the lock box, and she can’t reach anyone in customer care. She soon realizes that the place has been apparently double-booked by Keith (Bill Skarsgård). If her situation doesn’t already give you travel anxiety and frustration, just wait.
Story-wise, I’ll leave it there. Though, in my most cryptic way, I’ll just say that things escalate from a standard set-up you can see in any low-budget horror flick to a grimly hilarious tension-filled roller coaster. Tonally, this movie puts you through the ringer. Writer/Director Zach Cregger will toss around your emotional welfare at his whim. He wants you to be annoyed at times, then somehow trusting. He’ll immediately shift from complete tension to surprised relief or sometimes incredulous laughter.
The actors are perfectly cast here. Georgina Campbell embodies a new fantastic final girl trope. She knows when situations are too weird. She has sense enough to not trust everyone who seems sincere on the outside. But, she still (for the benefit of the audience) makes the perfect horror movie mistakes. There are times when you want to yell at her for her decisions, but can’t help but want to see where the rabbit hole takes her. The role played by Bill Skarsgård couldn’t have been done better by anyone else. His very appearance makes you unsettled, despite his attempts of him doing his best to respect boundaries. And everyone’s favorite little brother, Justin Long is the perfect choice for his role based on his legacy of charisma.
If you’re still reading this, it implies that you’re a fan of horror and can handle the content typically seen in the genre. There are definitely moments that will have you covering your eyes in disbelief and shock. However, Barbarian doesn’t need to show it all. There is so much done with establishing environment and brief histories, that it lets the viewer fill in the blanks of what the movie doesn’t show. It could have gone all out with being a grotesque and uncomfortable experience. Thankfully, it needs only give you glimpses of what horrors can be hidden in a place where no one wants to look.
Barbarian is a very welcome surprise in a year with weak horror flicks. It has come out of nowhere to lead the genre to a very modern horror setting. While the elements within are incredible reminiscent of many previous scary movies, it packs a very suspenseful and unpredictable take on them. Somehow, this airbnb nightmare has a comedic side that isn’t in your face, but instead plays on the flaws of the characters within. I’m starved for some good thrills and Barbarian delivered. A-
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