Another impactful motion picture from the 2000s was Pan’s Labyrinth. In 2006, Guillermo del Toro, another name growing in infamy, wrote and directed this masterpiece of visual disturbance, who’s cast was led by Ivana Baquero as Ofelia. The film won not only 3 Oscars, but also won a further 104 awards and received another 110 nominations, which is staggering, but no surprise!
From the gang land style face cutting self-defence scene, to the eyeballs in the hands, there was a whole lot of creepy in this! I feel the dream-like story telling of this movie was the clincher for me. Del Toro and the cast had a way of telling it and leaving me finding an unsettling likeness to a dream/nightmare state. One from which none of us have any escape or control when we close our eyes.
The fact that the film has kept firm to its Spanish language and only provides English subtitles, makes it even more suspenseful. Relying entirely on watching the reactions of the characters during the unfurling of the story. And it feels like it relieves you of one of your senses, leaving you feeling as vulnerable as Ofelia throughout the entirety of her journey. The film is also a visual spectacle, incredibly beautiful in its design and shooting. It is a must when seeking a chills down your spine!
Review: Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape Of Water
Nearing the end of my jaunt through cinematic offerings, I reach 2013’s The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan and written by Chad & Carey Hayes, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga head an incredible cast as our two protagonists. Husband and wife duo, Ed, a demonologist, and Lorraine Warren, a clairvoyant and medium, both investigating strange disturbances at a family new home.
This movie was watched as part of a horror movie fest that spiralled into a mild obsession, as my friend and I watched them with curtains drawn and snacks of plenty, following our night shifts during the weekends. We watched movie, after movie, after movie, most of which leaving us laughing and/or disappointed rather than in anyway scared. All besides a film called American Mary which was more of a psychological thriller than a straight out horror, but genuinely worth a watch should you stumble across it.
This was until, we found The Conjuring. I’ve heard some people say they didn’t find it that scary. But for us, it was a hide behind the duvet experience. Probably not helped by the large wooden wardrobe with the rouge door. Nor the fact that between us we had night terrors and sleep talking issues. But truly, the story was told in a way that left us both feeling particularly uneasy and imaginations running wild.
Film Road to Halloween: The Conjuring (2013)
Upon finding out that the story was based upon a true event, I was even more impressed by the narrative. Another shining example of beautifully naturalistic acting and believable effects, this really did creep me out for quite some time! That and the fact that my friend stayed awake for the entire film, which believe me, is a triumph of quality cinema not often matched.
Long story short, if my dog didn’t want to enter a building, I’d leave and not let it be eaten by a hell bitch that night, but that’s just me! The Conjuring won 13 awards, including Empire Awards Best Horror and the Academy of Science fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Best Horror Film – as well as a further 22 nominations.
Last, but most certainly not least, I bring you 2020. My choice for this may cause a few “huh?” reactions, but please allow me to explain. The Invisible Man. Written & directed by Leigh Whannell, this, is a testament to fear on a very personal level. Anyone who has been in an abusive relationship of that kind or any, for that matter, will KNOW the fear our protagonist Cecilia felt.
The Horror Genre Shutout at the Academy Awards
Elisabeth Moss does an exquisite job in her portrayal of Cecilia Kass. A survivor of extreme domestic emotional, mental and physical abuse, showing the immense power of psychological torment, to say the least. Even viewers with no experience of such a thing cannot deny how tense and emotive the film is throughout. Including worrying for the dog’s welfare. Yes, there will be a strong animal support theme throughout any film review I ever write or verbalise. But there is an incredibly fear provoking thread that remains, which is disturbingly haunting to anyone who has experienced such a situation.
The scary thing about this, from my perspective, is the “invisibility” aspect. Yes, in this case, that is literal but in “real life” circumstances, the sudden silence from an abusive partner can genuinely spiral your mind into a anxious, terrified state of fear that they could, at any moment be anywhere. Its a very real fear, making this movie intensely powerful.
There are so, so many incredible films, written and shot with the sole purpose to enter our lives, and terrify us. Which in any other circumstance would be a pretty crappy thing to do, but for films, we forgive and beg for more! Our insatiable blood lust has left the gladiator arenas and entered our screens, tempting us with popcorn and thrills any day of the week! How things have progressed since the early days!
Happy Halloween, Witches!
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