With so much garbage horror being thrown out in the last decade its easy to miss the gems on channels like Tubi (where I saw this) This one is definitely worth a watch for people that feel like they've already seen every horror movie worth watching on the streaming channels. Definitely had some good twists on a very Richard Matheson's Stir of Echoes type of story. Some of the acting of the minor characters and some of the makeup definitely screamed low budget, but the story and the lead actress (absolutely phenomenal) alone will keep ya glued in. Hope to see more from this writer/director team.
14 Reviews
Creepy Well Thought Out Supernatural Horror
icocleric14 November 2023
I really love how creepy this film is, and it has some really good tense moments too, and nice little bits of attention to detail. It is a great supernatural horror with a well thought out story, and the ending was actually not something that I expected either. It has more than one fun twist throughout the film.
And the kid who does the mirror scene did a great job of adding to the creepiness of the film as well. That scene is also excellent. The overall acting was very good. As a fan of supernatural horror, I had a really good time with this film. It's one I'm going to remember in the future.
And the kid who does the mirror scene did a great job of adding to the creepiness of the film as well. That scene is also excellent. The overall acting was very good. As a fan of supernatural horror, I had a really good time with this film. It's one I'm going to remember in the future.
Top of the Line Horror for 2022 - Surrogate
arthur_tafero19 October 2022
Getting a five-star rating out of ten, and being called the best of the genre for the year, will give you an indication of the phenomenally bad crop of horror films (and almost ALL films) from 2022 so far, and it is almost November. This one is passable, although there are some amateurish spots. The lead actress is very good and has a future in legitimate film. The director as well seems to be destined for better things as well (as long as he gets out of the horror genre). When asked which was harder to make, Stanley Kubrick mentioned that The Shining was much harder to make than Barry Lyndon, which required thousands of hours of make-up, lighting, and sound testing. Making good horror films is very difficult, which is why there are so few good ones.
Interesting
BandSAboutMovies7 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Rose (Taysha Farrugia) has just turned nine and every night, she asks her mother Natalie (Kestie Morassi, Wolf Creek) if they can check under the bed for monsters. Even though she does the best she can for her, Natalie still worries that not having a father will hurt her daughter. Now, she has an even greater worry as Rose tells her that she keeps getting pinched by something throughout the night.
Then Natalie wakes up bleeding. She's taken to the emergency room where she's told that she's just had a child, a fact she refuses to believe, even when child services agent Lauren (Jane Badler from V!) comes to investigate. That's when the bruises show up on Rose's back and the true mystery begins.
The only hope might be Malcolm Akard (Matthew Crosby) and his psychic daughter Ava (Ellie Stewart) who may be able to find the evil spirit targeting this family. The Surrogate doesn't give into the herky jerky possession camerawork that has dominated the genre for the last decade. Instead it plays its possessive moments as dark and slow burn as possible, which is a great credit to the skills of director David Willing, who co-wrote this with Beth King.
Then Natalie wakes up bleeding. She's taken to the emergency room where she's told that she's just had a child, a fact she refuses to believe, even when child services agent Lauren (Jane Badler from V!) comes to investigate. That's when the bruises show up on Rose's back and the true mystery begins.
The only hope might be Malcolm Akard (Matthew Crosby) and his psychic daughter Ava (Ellie Stewart) who may be able to find the evil spirit targeting this family. The Surrogate doesn't give into the herky jerky possession camerawork that has dominated the genre for the last decade. Instead it plays its possessive moments as dark and slow burn as possible, which is a great credit to the skills of director David Willing, who co-wrote this with Beth King.
The MIRROR scene
Valgoi6 February 2023
This is worth watching for the mirrors scene alone but keep watching for the incredible twists! A really well directed horror with arresting visuals, it almost has an arthouse look to it but isn't pretentious, the story is really engaging. The acting it has the woman from Wolf Creek and Jane Badler from tv series V, however the child actors are great, child actors often annoy me but all three in this film are fabulous and drew me into their plight even more. The trailer gave away very little and apart from one really full on bloody scene it's not gruesome, just lots of spine tingling chills and even better, it doesn't rely on jump scares but true fear.
a good hitchcock style of movie
sydboy0071 November 2022
I went to see the movie not really knowing what to expect.
Left with an old school horror experience.
Brilliant acting, from Kirstie, Jane, Ellie and Taysha really draws you into the story as you try to understand what's going on just as much as you feel the characters are.
Ava's scene with the mirrors is as good as any classic horror movie. Story over CGI really shines.
Felt the movie has a good pace. Enough horror along with getting to know the characters. Relationships between the charaacters is provideds a good linking between the horror scenes.
If you want to see a horror movie without gratuitous violence and gore then give surrogate a go. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Left with an old school horror experience.
Brilliant acting, from Kirstie, Jane, Ellie and Taysha really draws you into the story as you try to understand what's going on just as much as you feel the characters are.
Ava's scene with the mirrors is as good as any classic horror movie. Story over CGI really shines.
Felt the movie has a good pace. Enough horror along with getting to know the characters. Relationships between the charaacters is provideds a good linking between the horror scenes.
If you want to see a horror movie without gratuitous violence and gore then give surrogate a go. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Jane Badler is back!
alrameo29 April 2022
Creepy, intense with atmospheric dread
homerlove12 April 2022
Surrogate has to be one of the best film's I've seen in a long while. The musical score during the opening credits sets up the film perfectly - creepy, intense with atmospheric dread.
It's such a well-crafted and compelling story that keeps you invested right through to its unsettling final scene. The film doesn't rely on jump scares, although there are a couple in there, instead the real scares come from the story and storytelling itself which personally stayed with me days later. I couldn't stop thinking about the ending. The Exorcist was the other horror that had that effect on me.
There is so much detail in this film that a second viewing is a must. Horror fans will not be disappointed.
It's such a well-crafted and compelling story that keeps you invested right through to its unsettling final scene. The film doesn't rely on jump scares, although there are a couple in there, instead the real scares come from the story and storytelling itself which personally stayed with me days later. I couldn't stop thinking about the ending. The Exorcist was the other horror that had that effect on me.
There is so much detail in this film that a second viewing is a must. Horror fans will not be disappointed.
Seance is one of the best in years.
larryfarry12 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Watched on Amazon last night not knowing what to expect but the reviews online were mostly glowing and I can understand why now, I really enjoyed it. It is a great ride but worth the ticket just for the seance scene with mirrors alone. It is simply one of the best horror scenes in years, really tense and cinematic! Amazing performances across the board, the three child actors are just great. Hopefully it will be on more platforms soon as it's really worth it. I loved the references to other films but it put a unique spin on them. As the story had some surprising twists i'll definitely be watching it again.
Amazing Aussie Horror
HorrorChris7814 November 2022
I had heard about this movie when it was in production and have been highly anticipating its release. Now that I've seen it, it didn't disappoint! The director, Dave Willing has really taken his knowledge of old school horrors and made a masterpiece. My favourite scene is the séance, so compelling that I had to watch it twice. Elly Stewart is an outstanding young actress who is going to go places in a big way. Kestie Morassi was great as Natalie, the tortured mother trying to save her family. Loved her in Wolf Creek and loved her in Surrogate. I highly recommend people watch this film as there's a lot of suspense packed into 90 minutes.
10/10 Australian Horror
rachelmcvea13 April 2022
You're kept on a tight rein during this film - the story is fast paced. The acting was amazing by all and the love felt for her daughter, yet the confusion of her circumstances, by the lead character is portrayed in a very real and vulnerable way.
Fantastic story line that brings you along for a scary yet emotional ride.
This film has plenty of fear, jump 'spill your drink' moments, and anticipation. There is a little comic relief before once again you're on the edge of your seat.
A must see. 10/10.
Fantastic story line that brings you along for a scary yet emotional ride.
This film has plenty of fear, jump 'spill your drink' moments, and anticipation. There is a little comic relief before once again you're on the edge of your seat.
A must see. 10/10.
High class horror but not pretentious
pcurak18 April 2022
Surrogate is scary but it also has complex characters you care about which makes it tragic. It's not a cheap exploitation horror nor is it one of those 'slow burn' (ie boring) mood pieces pretending to be profound with no tension whatsoever. The director has a sharp eye for camera placements that forces you to experience the horror and with lots of little details peppered through out Surrogate is a stand out from the usual modern fare.
Scary, smart and intriguing!
Chelsea-0288212 April 2022
Ghost horror at its best, masterful balance between horror and drama like The Exorcist. Some really creepy & twisted ideas with some truely shocking moments. I actually got a bit emotional in some moments too. It reminds me of the Spanish horror Orphanage with such an intriguing and gripping story, amazing acting and haunting images. There are some great twist (I don't want to spoil them) which I didn't see coming. The woman from Wolf Creek who plays Natalie is excellent and the kids are top notch, particularly the girl with the mirrors, which is one of the best scenes in a horror film in years.
Old school horror with a modern twist!
John-6390512 April 2022
I saw this at a local art deco cinema in Melbourne this week which really added to the atmosphere! What a creepy, chilling and gripping horror film Surrogate is. It doesn't rely on cheap jump scares with loud music stings but rather through good old fashioned drawing you into a situation that you can't look away from like my favourite Japanese horror 'Ring'. There are some great story twists I didn't see coming either. Beautifully shot and whilst not too gory there are 2 scenes that are genuinely stomach churning.
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