Saw this on Netflix's line up and thought the plot sounded pretty interesting so gave it a watch. Dear GAWD I want that 80 mins back.
Is it low budget? Yes, but I didn't mind that. The fact that it's only shot in about 3 (4 tops) different spaces helped add to a rather tense and claustrophobic atmosphere which works. Was the acting great? Not really. :( Some were wooden, others overacted, while others still felt like they'd taken one-too-many sedatives. But still, I can let all that slide if I'm enjoying the experience.
So why such a low rating? The "star." The child. OH. MY. GAWD. I'm ashamed to say it but for the duration of the entire film (minus the last 5 mins--here I just rolled my eyes and said whatever), all I wanted to do was punch her repeatedly in the face. It was visceral and constant which in itself made me dislike this experience even more.
Firstly, it's like the director said watch Silence of the Lambs and then give us your best Hannibal Lecter. If you want to spend 75 out of 80 mins watching an 11/12 yr old (not even sure, nor do I care) be smug, bratty, insulting, obnoxious, superior and of course, "all psychic powerful" then you'll love this. Quite possibly the most unlikable child character I've ever seen on screen.
Secondly, it's one thing to have the 'baddies' that we're not supposed to like, but the director seemed to forget there was a redemption arc coming. Maaaaaaybe not the best idea to have the audience actively rooting for her to become a lab experiment instead of being let loose on society. Throw us a bone of some redeemable aspect! Instead, it relies on the psychologist to explain to us why she's doing what she's doing, what she's feeling, why this isn't her true nature etc. I couldn't feel any connection to her character that made me want to even TRY and understand, because she came across like a psychopath in the making anyway. Had there been a tiny break here or there in the facade, it would have changed everything.
Then the worst part was that in the last 5 mins, we get rushed redemption. The usual trope of "adult finally connects with hostile and troubled kid, kid breaks down and shows vulnerability, everyone sympathizes and sees kid's behaviour is only because of their hurt and trauma, kid is now actually good and not really demon spawn." If you're looking for Good Will Hunting feels after being subjected to the previous 70+ minutes of a PSA on why you don't want kids? Sorry, that won't be coming. You'd get more feels from The Omen. :-/
Is it low budget? Yes, but I didn't mind that. The fact that it's only shot in about 3 (4 tops) different spaces helped add to a rather tense and claustrophobic atmosphere which works. Was the acting great? Not really. :( Some were wooden, others overacted, while others still felt like they'd taken one-too-many sedatives. But still, I can let all that slide if I'm enjoying the experience.
So why such a low rating? The "star." The child. OH. MY. GAWD. I'm ashamed to say it but for the duration of the entire film (minus the last 5 mins--here I just rolled my eyes and said whatever), all I wanted to do was punch her repeatedly in the face. It was visceral and constant which in itself made me dislike this experience even more.
Firstly, it's like the director said watch Silence of the Lambs and then give us your best Hannibal Lecter. If you want to spend 75 out of 80 mins watching an 11/12 yr old (not even sure, nor do I care) be smug, bratty, insulting, obnoxious, superior and of course, "all psychic powerful" then you'll love this. Quite possibly the most unlikable child character I've ever seen on screen.
Secondly, it's one thing to have the 'baddies' that we're not supposed to like, but the director seemed to forget there was a redemption arc coming. Maaaaaaybe not the best idea to have the audience actively rooting for her to become a lab experiment instead of being let loose on society. Throw us a bone of some redeemable aspect! Instead, it relies on the psychologist to explain to us why she's doing what she's doing, what she's feeling, why this isn't her true nature etc. I couldn't feel any connection to her character that made me want to even TRY and understand, because she came across like a psychopath in the making anyway. Had there been a tiny break here or there in the facade, it would have changed everything.
Then the worst part was that in the last 5 mins, we get rushed redemption. The usual trope of "adult finally connects with hostile and troubled kid, kid breaks down and shows vulnerability, everyone sympathizes and sees kid's behaviour is only because of their hurt and trauma, kid is now actually good and not really demon spawn." If you're looking for Good Will Hunting feels after being subjected to the previous 70+ minutes of a PSA on why you don't want kids? Sorry, that won't be coming. You'd get more feels from The Omen. :-/