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The Empty Man -
Fox produced and filmed this movie in 2017 and new parent Disney dumped it into empty theaters three years later. Thankfully, this hidden gem is not so hidden any more. Like Prisoners or movies where David Fincher does what he does best, it's a horror movie that starts with a seemingly simple missing person case and then takes us down one gloriously dark and strange rabbit hole. Much of what I like about this movie is for what it doesn't do compared to trends in similar ones from the last ten years. Despite being a James Badge Dale fan, I cringed when his security expert and former cop - also James - checks all the boxes of the "grizzled, world-weary hero." Luckily, he defies this archetype's most tired cliches, especially the one where he's a jerk to everyone. When he is testy, it's purposeful since the cultists in the shady institute he questions make it easy. There is a stretch during James' investigation where he grasps at straws, which other viewers have criticized for being dull or meandering, but I did not mind for how the movie does what similar ones like it rarely do lately: it dares to bore and confuse you. I enjoyed feeling as unsure what to do next as James does; besides, it makes the buildup for when the rabbit hole goes deeper all the more jarring. Also, if you do not like to be spoon-fed, you will appreciate how the movie encourages paying close attention and that more revelations arrive visually and via dialogue rather than exposition. Even if you don't miss a thing despite Stephen Root's institute boss's deliberately obtuse explanation of the titular entity, it is bound to throw you for a loop. While avoiding this genre's pet peeves, though, it does not forget to be atmospheric or scary. I'll just say that if you think you know just how scary abandoned buildings or basements can be, it will make you think again.
Cults are nothing new, but they have been in the news a lot more lately, haven't they? This movie successfully mines horror from their increasing popularity and potential unavoidability. Like others in the crime thriller/horror genre, it does not answer every question it asks, which is not a bad thing in general. However, it may have more fridge logic questions than it should. Other than that, while it's not quite on the level of the classics I mentioned, it's close enough that it will make you appreciate the genre even more or explore it if it's new to you. Oh, and most importantly, it will freak you out in the process. Disney apparently dumped this movie when it did because they deemed it unmarketable. Assuming they track their viewing stats, it's more than enough reason to watch this to prove them wrong.
Fox produced and filmed this movie in 2017 and new parent Disney dumped it into empty theaters three years later. Thankfully, this hidden gem is not so hidden any more. Like Prisoners or movies where David Fincher does what he does best, it's a horror movie that starts with a seemingly simple missing person case and then takes us down one gloriously dark and strange rabbit hole. Much of what I like about this movie is for what it doesn't do compared to trends in similar ones from the last ten years. Despite being a James Badge Dale fan, I cringed when his security expert and former cop - also James - checks all the boxes of the "grizzled, world-weary hero." Luckily, he defies this archetype's most tired cliches, especially the one where he's a jerk to everyone. When he is testy, it's purposeful since the cultists in the shady institute he questions make it easy. There is a stretch during James' investigation where he grasps at straws, which other viewers have criticized for being dull or meandering, but I did not mind for how the movie does what similar ones like it rarely do lately: it dares to bore and confuse you. I enjoyed feeling as unsure what to do next as James does; besides, it makes the buildup for when the rabbit hole goes deeper all the more jarring. Also, if you do not like to be spoon-fed, you will appreciate how the movie encourages paying close attention and that more revelations arrive visually and via dialogue rather than exposition. Even if you don't miss a thing despite Stephen Root's institute boss's deliberately obtuse explanation of the titular entity, it is bound to throw you for a loop. While avoiding this genre's pet peeves, though, it does not forget to be atmospheric or scary. I'll just say that if you think you know just how scary abandoned buildings or basements can be, it will make you think again.
Cults are nothing new, but they have been in the news a lot more lately, haven't they? This movie successfully mines horror from their increasing popularity and potential unavoidability. Like others in the crime thriller/horror genre, it does not answer every question it asks, which is not a bad thing in general. However, it may have more fridge logic questions than it should. Other than that, while it's not quite on the level of the classics I mentioned, it's close enough that it will make you appreciate the genre even more or explore it if it's new to you. Oh, and most importantly, it will freak you out in the process. Disney apparently dumped this movie when it did because they deemed it unmarketable. Assuming they track their viewing stats, it's more than enough reason to watch this to prove them wrong.