Evan, I agree that the jump scare of Michael seeing his mother grinning at him and then levitating is a genuinely frightening sequence. I just would like to pompously point out that Ari Aster stacks his movies with such cool shots as this. He must have gotten it from someone, but I’ll be honest, I can’t remember a director using it before Aster.
I'd never heard of this until one of those 'horror movies you probably missed' etc videos and so I watched it. So glad I did - it freaked me out - so many intense and frightening scenes in it and what it does so well and that so many modern studio horrors fail to do, is set up an atmosphere, an atmosphere of dread and unease, and his one does it very very well. That face among the goats early on in the movie freaked me out no end.
I wish the mother’s death was actually explored more. There’s, like, two lines in the movie about it, but when they find her, there’s nothing underneath her. No bucket, no chair, nothing she could stand on to hang herself. The daughter has to pull over a metal tub to cut her down. The brother eventually says, “How did mom do it? The cop said the tub, but you moved it.” And the sister says, “…I don’t know.” And that’s it! Seemed kind of important that she couldn’t have hung herself.
Yea but later on the son actually sees the mother through the window and you can see her floating in the air. So it’s safe to assume supernatural forces gave her a hand to kill herself.
*"Hanging out with mannequins .. as one does."* I have a busy caseload today and have your videos playing in the background as I type away. I found myself nodding and even agreeing when you said this "Yes .. seems plausible." Then I had to really think about what was said 😂🤣
I wanna tell my own story with this movie because i found your channel and immediately started looking for this video. I was amazed you had done one and am so thankful for it. I love this movie to death and suggest it to everyone i know. I have been watching pretty much exclusively horror movies since i was abt 9, and it took probably 10 years before i found a movie that truly messed me up for multiple days. This one left images scarred into my brain. The still scene of the empty table at the end of the brothers storyline is the one that no matter what sends me into a primal frenzy. Its so dreadfully sickening knowing that all of these characters have 0 chance, and i love it so much. This is what horror should be, characters shouldnt win in horror, imo. Its just such a wonderful movie. P.s. i also think the chair at the beginning was foreshadowing her demise and the entities role in it.
just found your channel and i am making it my job to watch all of your videos. you're a captivating speaker and your analysis is funny, intelligent, and measured, keep up the good work man! honestly considering first time ever subscribing to someone's patreon/youtube
Just watched it last night. Yes, chilling, creepy and disturbing. Also, yes, cryptic. In trying to figure this out it seemed to me that everyone is dealing with guilt. Michael and Louise for being estranged from the family. Michael is also feeling guilt over leaving his wife and kids to be with his father. Virginia maybe felt guilt over being cut off from a spiritual faith at this time of need. Dark forces took advantage of all this susceptibility to possess these people to commit suicide for which you don't go to heaven supposedly. The same thing happened in The Exorcist with a vulnerable, lonely maybe guilt-ridden girl(over her parents divorce) becoming prime for possession ultimately manipulating a very guilt-ridden Father Karras to kill himself. I dunno. The phone call with Louise in this film I think was an attempt to goad her into suicide by her being told that his daughter was named Louise and she killed herself. I'd love to hear an interview with the director about this film.
I found this movie randomly on my Movies and TV app. I watched the trailer, thought it looked interesting, and it was on sale for 4.99, so I said what the hell and gave it a shot. I am glad I did. After watching it I wanted to see if there were any videos on RUclips talking about it, and this is the first video that popped up.
I honestly never thought I would be actually scared by a horror movie again. I've seen every scary horror movie and played every horror game and this one is honestly the most unsettling movie I've ever seen, it beat sinister and hereditary
I loved the film, but a lot of it sort of confused me. I didn't quite get the significance of having the priest in the film, if the only point was his late daughter had the same name. (I understand the impact of setting up the idea of some people visiting not really being there. That part was hella creepy.) A few people I talked to suggested the theory that the "unseen entity" was a vampire, because it pulls on some tropes from Eastern European vampire lore (farm settings, grotesque-looking, not necessarily nocturnal, the shape shifting/projecting images, etc.), which I think is an interesting take. All in all, I loved the bleakness, the random nature behind the entity's attack ("why this family?" Because life is chaos, I guess), and the silence being just as unsettling as the score. Also, bonus points for justifying my fear of chopping carrots. See, mom?! I'm not just being dramatic! 😂
I just watched this, followed by Hellbender. Didn't know a thing about either. The supernatural was freaky in this but the humanity in the acting is what made some scenes very uncomfortable for me. And as you said, I also have seen so much horror that I really appreciate that. (& props for mentioning Heriditary, I consider it one of the top 5 horror movies I've ever seen)
"EVERYTHING SUCKS AND NOTHING ISNT EVIL!!!!!" great line. found your channel a week or two ago and love it. the humor matches my own movie commentary perfectly!!!
No movie has ever captured a sense of dreary dread like this one did. This and when evil lerks are the top horror movies of the last 10 years I have watched.
I’ve never seen this movie, so I could be way off, but do you think it’s possible these people are all in some form of hell or purgatory? The common theme of all the deaths is suicide, which is considered a mortal sin in some forms of religion, and it would explain how everybody in this world seems designed to torment them, as well as the weird phone call with the priest if he had a daughter who died that way. Maybe they’re all condemned to relive their deaths repeatedly as a result of what they did.
No I don’t think so, the film very much comes across as it appears, the devil himself has come to claim the soul of a dying man and wrecks havoc on everyone who try’s aid the family. But a cool concept nonetheless. I think the theme of suicide is because typically the Devil cannot hurt people rather only influence them, and driving one of Gods children to suicide is the biggest loogie Lucifer can spit at God.
Just saw this movie, and it has great ambiance and imagery. But it felt bland to me. I just didn’t care that much for the characters (except when Michael sees that last vision, but that’s maybe because I’m a father of three daughters), wish I could learn more from them. Also, what was the point of the demon? Even in The Exorcist Pazuzu had a reason to do all of his evil deeds (as explained by Father Merrin), but here is just the demon hitting a random family (unless the point of the movie is to condemn atheism, since that’s the only common thread between all of the family members). Again, the imagery and mood are great, just wish the movie had a much better story to tell. By the way, I love your channel. I just discovered it, and I’m watching all of your reviews. Best wishes!
I wonder if the point was that evil doesn't need a reason, and it takes whoever it takes just because they were there. That makes it feel more horrifying to me, because it could happen to anyone.
I just saw another analysis video that said, basically, the message is, once you stop loving and caring for the people in your life that need you, you’re susceptible to evil and the devil. That’s why the nurse was hesitant at first, and screaming in pain while hurting herself. She said, “Why didn’t you listen? Leave!” But it was too late - the brother leaving sealed their fate, if they weren’t already doomed to begin with by being estranged. Each of them choosing themselves over their loved ones at some point in their lives led to the devil preying on them now.
That’s exactly what all the critiques are from people who dislike it - that the film is bleak, viscerally scary and atmospheric but lacking a proper storyline, writing and explanation for the evil entity. I think that adds to the horror, as the family have no idea what they’re dealing with and are at the complete mercy of it.
I discovered your channel very recently and have watched almost every one of your uploads. Really cool to watch your growth over the course of all these videos. You're very talented and hope to watch you become more popular, because you are clearly putting the work in!
The story has to be complete, there has to be explanation of reasons and consequences behind everything in that story. Why the family got targeted, what's their backstory, who's David, who's Charlie, he seemed to be familiar with facing that spirit in the gun scene, as if he dealt with it regularly, how the spell spread on every person who's been in connection with family, what's the story of the house, etc.etc. All the hints, signs and meanings are in the movie, but it takes imagination to see them. Nothing in the movie is random, everything has purpose, being puzzle of a complete picture.
Hi Evan, Great channel! Watching from Australia. I’ve decided to come back to the first one and work my way through. This was a great film and a good choice to start. All the best with your RUclips channel - you’ve got a new follower! 🎉
Really scary movie and I had watched about half of this video before seeing the movie itself ( so I knew some spoilers ). Thanks for the recommendation! I was thoroughly creeped out and not much does that to me , not even Hereditary.
Hi Evan! I’m sort of new here, as I’ve only been watching your videos now for a little over a month. Excellent videos and content! I’ve decided to come to the beginning and work my way to current. Love your content!
Hi Evan, great review and recap, thank you. I particularly appreciated you telling us what happens because as soon as Louise had the phone call with her brother, realising she’d been left alone, I couldn’t take any more and had to stop the movie. I am an experienced horror aficionado, but this film was so fucking scary, I couldn’t handle it any more, and have not been back to watch until the end. 10/10 scary points!
I have watched many horror films that sit with you for a while, such as Hereditary, The Witch, and others. This film, however, did something far worse. It literally made me depressed on a much deeper level.
I love horror movies. I love the fall, and basically binging on them every fall as a kind of prelude to Halloween. But I put this movie on the other day, and couldn't watch it. I suffer from depression and anxiety myself, and you're right - the dark feeling around this movie made me reject it on a visceral level.
Don't watch this, live it. It's scarier. A week long speed binge with no sleep. You will see your worst childhood nightmares. Throw in some delirium tremendous to make it really horrif.
I don’t have a problem with gore, and demons that act like this is my favorite. But 16:19 THIS made me feel so full of dread and despair it’s makes me want to throw up???
A very intense, dark film, it gripped me from start to finish, beautifully filmed too. Very scary on an adult level. 10/10
Evan, I agree that the jump scare of Michael seeing his mother grinning at him and then levitating is a genuinely frightening sequence. I just would like to pompously point out that Ari Aster stacks his movies with such cool shots as this. He must have gotten it from someone, but I’ll be honest, I can’t remember a director using it before Aster.
This was one of the first movies in a long while where I was looking for excuses to pause it.
It thoroughly scared me and it was a great watch
I had the same expierence. 14 years of being desensitized and this was the one to break me. Such a good and genuinely dreadful horrific movie
I'd never heard of this until one of those 'horror movies you probably missed' etc videos and so I watched it. So glad I did - it freaked me out - so many intense and frightening scenes in it and what it does so well and that so many modern studio horrors fail to do, is set up an atmosphere, an atmosphere of dread and unease, and his one does it very very well. That face among the goats early on in the movie freaked me out no end.
I wish the mother’s death was actually explored more. There’s, like, two lines in the movie about it, but when they find her, there’s nothing underneath her. No bucket, no chair, nothing she could stand on to hang herself. The daughter has to pull over a metal tub to cut her down. The brother eventually says, “How did mom do it? The cop said the tub, but you moved it.” And the sister says, “…I don’t know.” And that’s it! Seemed kind of important that she couldn’t have hung herself.
Yea but later on the son actually sees the mother through the window and you can see her floating in the air. So it’s safe to assume supernatural forces gave her a hand to kill herself.
Candyman!! that's where i recognized the old man from! thank you!
*"Hanging out with mannequins .. as one does."*
I have a busy caseload today and have your videos playing in the background as I type away.
I found myself nodding and even agreeing when you said this "Yes .. seems plausible."
Then I had to really think about what was said 😂🤣
I wanna tell my own story with this movie because i found your channel and immediately started looking for this video. I was amazed you had done one and am so thankful for it. I love this movie to death and suggest it to everyone i know. I have been watching pretty much exclusively horror movies since i was abt 9, and it took probably 10 years before i found a movie that truly messed me up for multiple days. This one left images scarred into my brain. The still scene of the empty table at the end of the brothers storyline is the one that no matter what sends me into a primal frenzy. Its so dreadfully sickening knowing that all of these characters have 0 chance, and i love it so much. This is what horror should be, characters shouldnt win in horror, imo. Its just such a wonderful movie.
P.s. i also think the chair at the beginning was foreshadowing her demise and the entities role in it.
just found your channel and i am making it my job to watch all of your videos. you're a captivating speaker and your analysis is funny, intelligent, and measured, keep up the good work man! honestly considering first time ever subscribing to someone's patreon/youtube
Wow that scene of Michael dying is wild
Just watched it last night. Yes, chilling, creepy and disturbing. Also, yes, cryptic. In trying to figure this out it seemed to me that everyone is dealing with guilt. Michael and Louise for being estranged from the family. Michael is also feeling guilt over leaving his wife and kids to be with his father. Virginia maybe felt guilt over being cut off from a spiritual faith at this time of need. Dark forces took advantage of all this susceptibility to possess these people to commit suicide for which you don't go to heaven supposedly. The same thing happened in The Exorcist with a vulnerable, lonely maybe guilt-ridden girl(over her parents divorce) becoming prime for possession ultimately manipulating a very guilt-ridden Father Karras to kill himself. I dunno. The phone call with Louise in this film I think was an attempt to goad her into suicide by her being told that his daughter was named Louise and she killed herself. I'd love to hear an interview with the director about this film.
I found this movie randomly on my Movies and TV app. I watched the trailer, thought it looked interesting, and it was on sale for 4.99, so I said what the hell and gave it a shot. I am glad I did. After watching it I wanted to see if there were any videos on RUclips talking about it, and this is the first video that popped up.
I honestly never thought I would be actually scared by a horror movie again. I've seen every scary horror movie and played every horror game and this one is honestly the most unsettling movie I've ever seen, it beat sinister and hereditary
I loved the film, but a lot of it sort of confused me. I didn't quite get the significance of having the priest in the film, if the only point was his late daughter had the same name. (I understand the impact of setting up the idea of some people visiting not really being there. That part was hella creepy.)
A few people I talked to suggested the theory that the "unseen entity" was a vampire, because it pulls on some tropes from Eastern European vampire lore (farm settings, grotesque-looking, not necessarily nocturnal, the shape shifting/projecting images, etc.), which I think is an interesting take.
All in all, I loved the bleakness, the random nature behind the entity's attack ("why this family?" Because life is chaos, I guess), and the silence being just as unsettling as the score. Also, bonus points for justifying my fear of chopping carrots. See, mom?! I'm not just being dramatic! 😂
I just watched this, followed by Hellbender. Didn't know a thing about either.
The supernatural was freaky in this but the humanity in the acting is what made some scenes very uncomfortable for me. And as you said, I also have seen so much horror that I really appreciate that. (& props for mentioning Heriditary, I consider it one of the top 5 horror movies I've ever seen)
"EVERYTHING SUCKS AND NOTHING ISNT EVIL!!!!!" great line. found your channel a week or two ago and love it. the humor matches my own movie commentary perfectly!!!
No movie has ever captured a sense of dreary dread like this one did. This and when evil lerks are the top horror movies of the last 10 years I have watched.
I’ve never seen this movie, so I could be way off, but do you think it’s possible these people are all in some form of hell or purgatory? The common theme of all the deaths is suicide, which is considered a mortal sin in some forms of religion, and it would explain how everybody in this world seems designed to torment them, as well as the weird phone call with the priest if he had a daughter who died that way. Maybe they’re all condemned to relive their deaths repeatedly as a result of what they did.
No I don’t think so, the film very much comes across as it appears, the devil himself has come to claim the soul of a dying man and wrecks havoc on everyone who try’s aid the family.
But a cool concept nonetheless.
I think the theme of suicide is because typically the Devil cannot hurt people rather only influence them, and driving one of Gods children to suicide is the biggest loogie Lucifer can spit at God.
No they aren't in hell, it's very rooted in reality which is part of what felt scary about it.
Just saw this movie, and it has great ambiance and imagery. But it felt bland to me. I just didn’t care that much for the characters (except when Michael sees that last vision, but that’s maybe because I’m a father of three daughters), wish I could learn more from them. Also, what was the point of the demon? Even in The Exorcist Pazuzu had a reason to do all of his evil deeds (as explained by Father Merrin), but here is just the demon hitting a random family (unless the point of the movie is to condemn atheism, since that’s the only common thread between all of the family members).
Again, the imagery and mood are great, just wish the movie had a much better story to tell.
By the way, I love your channel. I just discovered it, and I’m watching all of your reviews. Best wishes!
I wonder if the point was that evil doesn't need a reason, and it takes whoever it takes just because they were there. That makes it feel more horrifying to me, because it could happen to anyone.
I just saw another analysis video that said, basically, the message is, once you stop loving and caring for the people in your life that need you, you’re susceptible to evil and the devil. That’s why the nurse was hesitant at first, and screaming in pain while hurting herself. She said, “Why didn’t you listen? Leave!” But it was too late - the brother leaving sealed their fate, if they weren’t already doomed to begin with by being estranged. Each of them choosing themselves over their loved ones at some point in their lives led to the devil preying on them now.
Yeah, this movie did nothing for me.
That’s exactly what all the critiques are from people who dislike it - that the film is bleak, viscerally scary and atmospheric but lacking a proper storyline, writing and explanation for the evil entity.
I think that adds to the horror, as the family have no idea what they’re dealing with and are at the complete mercy of it.
I discovered your channel very recently and have watched almost every one of your uploads. Really cool to watch your growth over the course of all these videos. You're very talented and hope to watch you become more popular, because you are clearly putting the work in!
The story has to be complete, there has to be explanation of reasons and consequences behind everything in that story. Why the family got targeted, what's their backstory, who's David, who's Charlie, he seemed to be familiar with facing that spirit in the gun scene, as if he dealt with it regularly, how the spell spread on every person who's been in connection with family, what's the story of the house, etc.etc. All the hints, signs and meanings are in the movie, but it takes imagination to see them. Nothing in the movie is random, everything has purpose, being puzzle of a complete picture.
Never heard of this movie until now, thanks for the recommendation, I hope your channel gets big soon :)
Hi Evan,
Great channel! Watching from Australia. I’ve decided to come back to the first one and work my way through. This was a great film and a good choice to start. All the best with your RUclips channel - you’ve got a new follower! 🎉
This is the first time I've watched one of the older videos. Naww. Look at baby Evan. So adorable 😋
But seriously I really enjoy your videos
Fascinating review. Just a quick note: succame is not a word, it's succumbed, same as numbed.
Lmao did I really say succame? I need to get that on a shirt
Great review, Evan. As usual insightful and....funny.
Straight up one or the best horror movies I have ever watched and I watched them all.
The actor playing the pastor is sooooo GOOOD!!!!!! He was so sinister from jump.
Really scary movie and I had watched about half of this video before seeing the movie itself ( so I knew some spoilers ). Thanks for the recommendation! I was thoroughly creeped out and not much does that to me , not even Hereditary.
the oh wait maybe it might be working had me dying on the floor lafughing.
Hi Evan! I’m sort of new here, as I’ve only been watching your videos now for a little over a month. Excellent videos and content! I’ve decided to come to the beginning and work my way to current. Love your content!
Oh wow going all the way back haha thanks!
10:15 Arthur Morgan? Is that you?
Dude sounds kind of like him there lol
Exorcist 3" I think the dead should shut up if they don't haven't anything to say"
Hi Evan, great review and recap, thank you. I particularly appreciated you telling us what happens because as soon as Louise had the phone call with her brother, realising she’d been left alone, I couldn’t take any more and had to stop the movie. I am an experienced horror aficionado, but this film was so fucking scary, I couldn’t handle it any more, and have not been back to watch until the end. 10/10 scary points!
I have watched many horror films that sit with you for a while, such as Hereditary, The Witch, and others. This film, however, did something far worse. It literally made me depressed on a much deeper level.
I love horror movies. I love the fall, and basically binging on them every fall as a kind of prelude to Halloween.
But I put this movie on the other day, and couldn't watch it.
I suffer from depression and anxiety myself, and you're right - the dark feeling around this movie made me reject it on a visceral level.
Don't watch this, live it. It's scarier. A week long speed binge with no sleep. You will see your worst childhood nightmares. Throw in some delirium tremendous to make it really horrif.
I don’t have a problem with gore, and demons that act like this is my favorite. But 16:19 THIS made me feel so full of dread and despair it’s makes me want to throw up???
A similarly feeling movie that was made around the same time is SATOR. I also highly recommend that one.
I loved this film.
You should review It Follows
Love this video. Hope you blow up soon. ! (Like on RUclips)
HAHA thank you!
Just got dont watching it, very effective horror movie...prolly the scariest one i have seen all year
Scary film
WASTED 1 HOUR AND 30 MINS
The fact that you wrote your opinion in all caps makes think you were probably just too stupid to get the movie💀
You're not very bright, are you?
Such a great film. Every scene drips with dread.