This I really enjoyed (and my wife too). Sure, it’s the “kids on bikes” 80s kinda throwback that’s all the rage these days, but it’s well done. Think Stranger Things, but without the supernatural stuff. And the end takes a sudden turn that really surprised me, in a dark way. Even better, this was locally made by Montreal-based directors (they also made the 80s-influenced Turbo Kid), which is nice to see. I think it’s well worth watching.
I was expecting more from this, considering it stars Helen Mirren, but it ended up being pretty disappointing. I liked the setting — big ol’ haunted house at the turn of the 20th century — and the historical aspect (Mrs. Winchester, of the gun company), but it ended up being not much more than a series of jump scares, and that’s not the kind of horror I like — I’m more into the creepy, thriller kind. Can’t say I’d really recommend this to anyone.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, I love giving myself a goal or theme when it comes to watching movies, whether it’s to marathon films from a year, from a director, or something else. Since it’s October, I thought it’d be fun to focus more than usual on watching horror-related stuff throughout the month. I kicked it off with this film, which I’d heard was quite good. And it is indeed. Great story, incredibly creepy, with great performances by everyone — especially that young girl. The denouement was really out there, but interesting, and felt satisfying. And haunting.