UGH .... so close - SO CLOSE! But in the end, no cigar. All that potential and solid storytelling dissolving into to a nonsensical, clumsy, rushed, and ultimately unsatisfying conclusion, implementing all of the worst elements of horror movies. That's what disappoints the most. This movie held so much promise and had such a great start and journey all the way up until the end, but sadly the writer(s) somehow couldn't find the way to keep that strong storytelling up to par all the way through to the end. It wasn't that I disliked the end result. It was the clumsy way the screenplay got us there that left a lot to be desired. I was rolling my eyes on multiple occasions during parts of the final act. Video review to come soon.
1,184 Reviews
First act is great....
depro4923 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's definitely not a 1 or a 10 so anyone who rates it either way is lying but it's somewhere in between. I think it's a bit better than most mainstream horror films (like Smile for example).
The first third of the film is good, intense, and introduces the characters but the moment the "monsters" in the film are revealed it falls apart.
Instead of going down the familiar "Hills Have Eyes" and "The Descent" angle,I would have focused on the human angle and the Fred character being the monster and seeing more of his backstory.
You have to suspend all belief for this film unfortunately. Characters have phones but calls to police aren't made or the 911 operator decides they're "too busy". Same with the cops when they do arrive. Apparently, the "monsters" have inhuman strength and capabilities. Instead of running, characters keep going back to ridiculous situations.
Good attempt but the second and third act in this film should have been redone.
The first third of the film is good, intense, and introduces the characters but the moment the "monsters" in the film are revealed it falls apart.
Instead of going down the familiar "Hills Have Eyes" and "The Descent" angle,I would have focused on the human angle and the Fred character being the monster and seeing more of his backstory.
You have to suspend all belief for this film unfortunately. Characters have phones but calls to police aren't made or the 911 operator decides they're "too busy". Same with the cops when they do arrive. Apparently, the "monsters" have inhuman strength and capabilities. Instead of running, characters keep going back to ridiculous situations.
Good attempt but the second and third act in this film should have been redone.
More to it upon second watch
davidjkobb6 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't always pick up a movie's deeper meaning upon first viewing. Usually for the first watch, I just want to enjoy the plot. That's how it was with Barbarian, a monster movie with more to say hiding below the surface.
Barbarian is a story about a woman interviewing for a job in Detroit, and the troubles that arise when she finds that her AirBnB is already occupied. I won't go into more plot details and I recommend you go into this movie knowing as little as possible.
It isn't possible, though, to avoid some spoilers in discussing the layers to Barbarian. So, spoilers ahead.
Beneath the horror movie lies a conversation about women and men. There are dangers in being a woman, which two of the primary characters briefly discuss. But there are also misperceptions that can lead to disaster. Who is good and who is bad, and how can one tell? Does a woman let bad men change her perception of the entire gender? Does she let it make her into a monster? Can a man change? What is a woman? What is a man? What should they be?
I went back and forth several times on whether the character Keith was going to be the movie's villain or not. Well done to the writers and director for that. Upon second watch of the film, I realized that many or maybe even all of the circumstances that put the audience and the character Tess on alert about Keith are situations outside of his control. He didn't mix-up the AirBnB reservations. He didn't open Tess's bedroom door as she slept. He didn't choose to get lost in the cavernous dungeon. But, he might have, and up until the very last second, the audience is left guessing about Keith. How difficult it is to judge someone's character.
Then, we switch to Justin Long's character AJ, a magnificent cut scene that left me surprised and delighted upon first viewing. Here's another man that we the audience might have a little trouble getting a solid handle on. The movie beautifully puts AJ in different situations in which we for a moment feel for him, or think that maybe he is innocent of his accused crimes, and then the movie yanks that thought away from us with AJ doing something bad. For example, we have AJ talking to his mom on the phone. How sweet, he's talking with his mom. He seems genuinely certain he didn't do anything wrong with that other actress. Then he hangs up on his mom without even saying goodbye. There goes that idea of him being a good son. Then, later in the movie, he's around the campfire with the unhoused man and Tess and he seems to be having a genuine moment of contrition and making the decision to grow and become better. Then, Mother busts into the scene and AJ runs off as quickly as possible, leaving Tess, whom he accidentally shot earlier, and the homeless man that gave them shelter in the dust.
The movie explores the ideas of character and how difficult it is to judge another's character, or even know our own character in an expertly crafted manner. The themes of gender, and trust, and abuse, are wonderfully couched in a genuinely scary and excellent horror movie.
Horror is thriving these days, with The Witch, Midsommar, It Follows, Hereditary, Us, Brandon Cronenberg's amazing film Possessor, and many more. Smart, well-crafted films that are both intense, frightening and thoughtful.
Barbarian is a story about a woman interviewing for a job in Detroit, and the troubles that arise when she finds that her AirBnB is already occupied. I won't go into more plot details and I recommend you go into this movie knowing as little as possible.
It isn't possible, though, to avoid some spoilers in discussing the layers to Barbarian. So, spoilers ahead.
Beneath the horror movie lies a conversation about women and men. There are dangers in being a woman, which two of the primary characters briefly discuss. But there are also misperceptions that can lead to disaster. Who is good and who is bad, and how can one tell? Does a woman let bad men change her perception of the entire gender? Does she let it make her into a monster? Can a man change? What is a woman? What is a man? What should they be?
I went back and forth several times on whether the character Keith was going to be the movie's villain or not. Well done to the writers and director for that. Upon second watch of the film, I realized that many or maybe even all of the circumstances that put the audience and the character Tess on alert about Keith are situations outside of his control. He didn't mix-up the AirBnB reservations. He didn't open Tess's bedroom door as she slept. He didn't choose to get lost in the cavernous dungeon. But, he might have, and up until the very last second, the audience is left guessing about Keith. How difficult it is to judge someone's character.
Then, we switch to Justin Long's character AJ, a magnificent cut scene that left me surprised and delighted upon first viewing. Here's another man that we the audience might have a little trouble getting a solid handle on. The movie beautifully puts AJ in different situations in which we for a moment feel for him, or think that maybe he is innocent of his accused crimes, and then the movie yanks that thought away from us with AJ doing something bad. For example, we have AJ talking to his mom on the phone. How sweet, he's talking with his mom. He seems genuinely certain he didn't do anything wrong with that other actress. Then he hangs up on his mom without even saying goodbye. There goes that idea of him being a good son. Then, later in the movie, he's around the campfire with the unhoused man and Tess and he seems to be having a genuine moment of contrition and making the decision to grow and become better. Then, Mother busts into the scene and AJ runs off as quickly as possible, leaving Tess, whom he accidentally shot earlier, and the homeless man that gave them shelter in the dust.
The movie explores the ideas of character and how difficult it is to judge another's character, or even know our own character in an expertly crafted manner. The themes of gender, and trust, and abuse, are wonderfully couched in a genuinely scary and excellent horror movie.
Horror is thriving these days, with The Witch, Midsommar, It Follows, Hereditary, Us, Brandon Cronenberg's amazing film Possessor, and many more. Smart, well-crafted films that are both intense, frightening and thoughtful.
Truly scary. Like an average day in Detroit.
benjaminskylerhill9 September 2022
A lot of great things can and should be said about Barbarian. It's a masterfully directed film; Creggor always shows us just enough in each shot that we're left wondering about what's lurking in the empty space on the frame.
The first two-thirds of the film are tense when it's quiet and shocking when it's loud. It kept me on my toes for nearly the entire time, which is refreshing for my desensitised eyes.
Efficient work is made of the character introductions. Cregor's script doesn't waste time at the beginning of each character's story. We get to know exactly what we need to know about each of them as a person before they get thrust into the metaphorical depths of hell. It makes the eventual carnage all the more nerve-shredding because no character is disposable.
So, yes, the film is good. But it's not all good.
The film's narrative and pacing are not nearly as compelling and tight, respectively, as they should be due to the fact that it tells the stories of three separate sets of characters (one after the other) before getting to the finale.
Also, the film's last act really took a dive into campy and I found it to be a betrayal of the rest of the story's bleak tone.
The final set piece is so out-of-left-field and ridiculous that it became unintentionally hilarious for me.
This may seem like a minor complaint, but when the ending of the movie leaves a bad taste in my mouth, it kind of sours the whole experience.
I wanted this to be better than it was. But it's still so tense throughout its majority and the many twists are so satisfying that I do heartily recommend this subversive horror flick.
The first two-thirds of the film are tense when it's quiet and shocking when it's loud. It kept me on my toes for nearly the entire time, which is refreshing for my desensitised eyes.
Efficient work is made of the character introductions. Cregor's script doesn't waste time at the beginning of each character's story. We get to know exactly what we need to know about each of them as a person before they get thrust into the metaphorical depths of hell. It makes the eventual carnage all the more nerve-shredding because no character is disposable.
So, yes, the film is good. But it's not all good.
The film's narrative and pacing are not nearly as compelling and tight, respectively, as they should be due to the fact that it tells the stories of three separate sets of characters (one after the other) before getting to the finale.
Also, the film's last act really took a dive into campy and I found it to be a betrayal of the rest of the story's bleak tone.
The final set piece is so out-of-left-field and ridiculous that it became unintentionally hilarious for me.
This may seem like a minor complaint, but when the ending of the movie leaves a bad taste in my mouth, it kind of sours the whole experience.
I wanted this to be better than it was. But it's still so tense throughout its majority and the many twists are so satisfying that I do heartily recommend this subversive horror flick.
This movie starts so well, why does it hve to fall apart?
TerribleKatherine11 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie has A LOT of positive traits. The plot is interesting and there are some genuinely scary details in it. Unfortunately the plot is also very scattered, some of the choice do not make sense and the further the plot developers, the weirder it all gets.
The beginning is actually very good. You don't know what is going on, it's fascinating to find out what is going on. The acting is great, Bill Skarsgård is one of my favorite actor and it was a nice surprise to see him in this. But when Justin Long comes to the picture, the plot loses the intense feeling and the threat. Long's character is way over the top and all the way through his character and intentions do not make sense. They force this #MeToo plot point in the story and it bring the story down quite a bit.
There are some genuine scary moments in this, and even though I am a horror addict and seen some scary stuff, this movie manages to frighten me a few times. If they had managed to keep the story more coherent and intact, it would've been a better experience.
The last 20 minutes are just bad. I have heard some bad things about American cops but in this movie they do not seem even human and it's weird. The water tower scene is actually bad and Justin Long's character ruins it for good.
It's very frustrating to see great potential in something and then see it wasted. First half is a solid 8 and the second half is 5 at best. It's 6,5 average, but I'm lowering in to 6 because of the wasted potential.
The beginning is actually very good. You don't know what is going on, it's fascinating to find out what is going on. The acting is great, Bill Skarsgård is one of my favorite actor and it was a nice surprise to see him in this. But when Justin Long comes to the picture, the plot loses the intense feeling and the threat. Long's character is way over the top and all the way through his character and intentions do not make sense. They force this #MeToo plot point in the story and it bring the story down quite a bit.
There are some genuine scary moments in this, and even though I am a horror addict and seen some scary stuff, this movie manages to frighten me a few times. If they had managed to keep the story more coherent and intact, it would've been a better experience.
The last 20 minutes are just bad. I have heard some bad things about American cops but in this movie they do not seem even human and it's weird. The water tower scene is actually bad and Justin Long's character ruins it for good.
It's very frustrating to see great potential in something and then see it wasted. First half is a solid 8 and the second half is 5 at best. It's 6,5 average, but I'm lowering in to 6 because of the wasted potential.
A cult film if there ever was one
sgriff2255512 September 2022
This movie is textbook, to a T, the very definition of a cult film. This is the most "culty" film I've seen since rocky horror.
I don't really want to say much (or compare this to other films) because anything written will give expectations and this film is absolutely best if you go in blind and with zero expectations. I would really, really recommend avoiding all reviews and any discussion of this film prior to seeing it. If you're a horror fan this movie should be at the top of your list.
I will say that the person who made the trailer deserves a major award because the trailer gives away *nothing* at all, which is exactly how a trailer should be and trailers like this are so rare.
7/10.
I don't really want to say much (or compare this to other films) because anything written will give expectations and this film is absolutely best if you go in blind and with zero expectations. I would really, really recommend avoiding all reviews and any discussion of this film prior to seeing it. If you're a horror fan this movie should be at the top of your list.
I will say that the person who made the trailer deserves a major award because the trailer gives away *nothing* at all, which is exactly how a trailer should be and trailers like this are so rare.
7/10.
Square footage is important, but it's location, location, location.
kirbycat210 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It was intriguing from the beginning. The whole time I said no, no, no. I usually can figure this stuff out. I never expected this plot. Not really gory, but it's a thriller. Justin Long is great.
I understood Tess staying at this house when she arrived at night. I did not understand it when she saw the neighborhood or got the warnings. I would have slept in my car.
It was filmed in Bulgaria, but they seem to understand the universal perceptions of Detroit. Whoever wrote the movie did a great job. It's nice to have a plot with some twists. Most stuff out of Hollywood has an agenda. They seem to also remake already great movie. This movie and The Watcher seem to have fresh ideas.
I understood Tess staying at this house when she arrived at night. I did not understand it when she saw the neighborhood or got the warnings. I would have slept in my car.
It was filmed in Bulgaria, but they seem to understand the universal perceptions of Detroit. Whoever wrote the movie did a great job. It's nice to have a plot with some twists. Most stuff out of Hollywood has an agenda. They seem to also remake already great movie. This movie and The Watcher seem to have fresh ideas.
I "get it," but still hate it.
Ripshin14 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, I love the tonal switches. That is brilliant. But allowing the characters to keep doing the dumbest thing possible, is distancing. Also, it contains many plot holes. I don't require constant explanations, but...
1) Who built the tunnels?
2) Who is The Mother. All of those tapes.
3) ALL of Detroit was booked for a convention?
4) Flashback was 1980 - how many "generations" could be fostered, since then? (Granted, the scenario probably started much sooner than 1980.)
5) Who was the neighborhood "watchdog" guy? WHY would he stay there?
6) WHO survives a gunshot wound, and a fall from a likely six-story water tower?
The raving Rotten reviews, fascinate me. Yeah, the director grabbed a bit of "Psycho," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Blair Witch," etc. WHY are the critics FAWNING over this?
And, yes, it %$#@ bothers me, that I had to Google, while sitting in the theater, to see if there happened to be, an extended after-credit sequence.
Once again...the characters kept doing the most idiotic things, to extend the plot.
Meh.
1) Who built the tunnels?
2) Who is The Mother. All of those tapes.
3) ALL of Detroit was booked for a convention?
4) Flashback was 1980 - how many "generations" could be fostered, since then? (Granted, the scenario probably started much sooner than 1980.)
5) Who was the neighborhood "watchdog" guy? WHY would he stay there?
6) WHO survives a gunshot wound, and a fall from a likely six-story water tower?
The raving Rotten reviews, fascinate me. Yeah, the director grabbed a bit of "Psycho," "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Blair Witch," etc. WHY are the critics FAWNING over this?
And, yes, it %$#@ bothers me, that I had to Google, while sitting in the theater, to see if there happened to be, an extended after-credit sequence.
Once again...the characters kept doing the most idiotic things, to extend the plot.
Meh.
"Barbarian" is one of the most thrilling theatre experiences I've had in 2022
darkreignn9 September 2022
"Barbarian" is nerve-racking - from the opening seconds, not minutes, but seconds of the film, director Zach Cregger immediately immerses viewers in an experience that leaves knuckles white, nails bitten, and minds consistently wondering what on God's green earth could possibly happen next.
Viewing "Barbarian" without any knowledge of what it is about is the optimal viewing experience; however, even if you've seen the trailer for this film, you'll be happy to know that it spoils basically zero of the twists and turns this movie has to offer. Thus, I do not want to spoil anything either, which makes this an incredibly hard review to write! So, what I will do is attempt to explain the basic premise of "Barbarian," and what makes it one of the most thrilling theatre experiences I've had in a long time.
Starring the beautiful Georgina Campbell as a lone Airbnb renter who is staying overnight at a house in Detroit, Michigan, "Barbarian" opens with Georgina's character, Tess, arriving at her rental to find that another man - played by Bill Skarsgård - is already occupying the home. Claiming that this incident is the result of a simple mixup of double booking, Bill's character Keith invites Tess in to stay the night, promising that, in the morning, they will both get this situation sorted out. From that point on, the movie becomes a razor sharp thriller that will infect audiences with its inherent uneasiness.
Is Keith truly a stranger caught up in an innocent mistake, or is he someone, or something, more nefarious? And is the rental property all it seems to be, or is there a greater mystery to be uncovered beneath its welcoming surface? "Barbarian" begins by introducing question after question to its audience, ensuring that viewers remain on the edge of their seat trying to predict what will next occur. Second after second and minute after minute, this movie is full of surprises, to the point where, after the 45 minute mark, my expectations were blown out of the water to the point where it felt useless trying to guess what would happen next, because I hadn't the slightest idea what could possibly happen next. And that is the highest compliment I can give this movie because, regardless of how you choose to describe this movie, you cannot claim it to be predictable. And on a side note, the fact that the characters actually made intelligent decisions and thought things out only made the viewing experience more tense, because, since everyone was already doing what I assumed a smart person would do, I had no idea how the scenes and sequences would progress. And I also want to pay my compliments to the soundtrack, the direction, and the cinematography, all of which combined perfectly to create a truly chilling experience.
I feel like this is a vague and poorly written review, but only because I do not want to spoil anything for anyone. You may have seen the teasers claiming that this film is so scary that people are screaming, vomiting, and passing out in the theatre - while that is just false marketing at its finest, I will say that "Barbarian" did induce a physical reaction from me at parts - I could feel my heart practically beating out of my chest during certain sequences due to the suspense. So, while I don't necessarily find this film to be scary, it is one of the most adrenaline pumping experiences I have had in a long, long time. If you are at all a fan of thrillers, I'd recommend seeing this on the biggest screen you can find, and preferably late at night. This isn't the most horrifying movie you'll ever see, but it is sure to get your blood pumping.
Viewing "Barbarian" without any knowledge of what it is about is the optimal viewing experience; however, even if you've seen the trailer for this film, you'll be happy to know that it spoils basically zero of the twists and turns this movie has to offer. Thus, I do not want to spoil anything either, which makes this an incredibly hard review to write! So, what I will do is attempt to explain the basic premise of "Barbarian," and what makes it one of the most thrilling theatre experiences I've had in a long time.
Starring the beautiful Georgina Campbell as a lone Airbnb renter who is staying overnight at a house in Detroit, Michigan, "Barbarian" opens with Georgina's character, Tess, arriving at her rental to find that another man - played by Bill Skarsgård - is already occupying the home. Claiming that this incident is the result of a simple mixup of double booking, Bill's character Keith invites Tess in to stay the night, promising that, in the morning, they will both get this situation sorted out. From that point on, the movie becomes a razor sharp thriller that will infect audiences with its inherent uneasiness.
Is Keith truly a stranger caught up in an innocent mistake, or is he someone, or something, more nefarious? And is the rental property all it seems to be, or is there a greater mystery to be uncovered beneath its welcoming surface? "Barbarian" begins by introducing question after question to its audience, ensuring that viewers remain on the edge of their seat trying to predict what will next occur. Second after second and minute after minute, this movie is full of surprises, to the point where, after the 45 minute mark, my expectations were blown out of the water to the point where it felt useless trying to guess what would happen next, because I hadn't the slightest idea what could possibly happen next. And that is the highest compliment I can give this movie because, regardless of how you choose to describe this movie, you cannot claim it to be predictable. And on a side note, the fact that the characters actually made intelligent decisions and thought things out only made the viewing experience more tense, because, since everyone was already doing what I assumed a smart person would do, I had no idea how the scenes and sequences would progress. And I also want to pay my compliments to the soundtrack, the direction, and the cinematography, all of which combined perfectly to create a truly chilling experience.
I feel like this is a vague and poorly written review, but only because I do not want to spoil anything for anyone. You may have seen the teasers claiming that this film is so scary that people are screaming, vomiting, and passing out in the theatre - while that is just false marketing at its finest, I will say that "Barbarian" did induce a physical reaction from me at parts - I could feel my heart practically beating out of my chest during certain sequences due to the suspense. So, while I don't necessarily find this film to be scary, it is one of the most adrenaline pumping experiences I have had in a long, long time. If you are at all a fan of thrillers, I'd recommend seeing this on the biggest screen you can find, and preferably late at night. This isn't the most horrifying movie you'll ever see, but it is sure to get your blood pumping.
Intense, riveting ... yet dumb.
Her-Excellency16 September 2022
No, they are not mutually exclusive.
First of all, props to the creators of this intensely riveting film for keeping us GLUED to the edge of our seats, in suspense, during the slow burn of a beginning, DESPITE thinking we knew what was going to happen.
Read that again.
In simple terms, even if this film had gone exactly the way we thought it would, the build-up to what we expected to happen, was masterfully handled.
Beyond that, the film declines in intensity during the second half, and expects more from the viewer in order to keep its believability factor.
I meant to add so much more, but I keep giving away too much and have to go back and delete it. I DETEST spoilers (unless I specifically ask for them) and those who think they actually gain something by revealing anything more than what is necessary. As such and as it is almost impossible to fully discuss the film without some reveals (and I possess tact enough not to spoil it for others), I will simply add that although there ARE a couple of "dumb" horror-film trope moments as in 'why did he/she do that' or 'why didn't he/she do that', they are in no way lastingly detrimental to the film. It is quite good, in that it quickly reels you back in and you all but forget about them - at least for the duration.
... It is also quite bad in the sense that it is off-the-wall bonkers.
It does gift viewers with a couple of funny/humorous moments, but they neither make or break the film.
In short, You will really like it, or you will hate it. Either way, see it before someone with less courtesy spoils it for you.
(The casting of Alexander Skarsgard was genius).
6.5-7/10.
First of all, props to the creators of this intensely riveting film for keeping us GLUED to the edge of our seats, in suspense, during the slow burn of a beginning, DESPITE thinking we knew what was going to happen.
Read that again.
In simple terms, even if this film had gone exactly the way we thought it would, the build-up to what we expected to happen, was masterfully handled.
Beyond that, the film declines in intensity during the second half, and expects more from the viewer in order to keep its believability factor.
I meant to add so much more, but I keep giving away too much and have to go back and delete it. I DETEST spoilers (unless I specifically ask for them) and those who think they actually gain something by revealing anything more than what is necessary. As such and as it is almost impossible to fully discuss the film without some reveals (and I possess tact enough not to spoil it for others), I will simply add that although there ARE a couple of "dumb" horror-film trope moments as in 'why did he/she do that' or 'why didn't he/she do that', they are in no way lastingly detrimental to the film. It is quite good, in that it quickly reels you back in and you all but forget about them - at least for the duration.
... It is also quite bad in the sense that it is off-the-wall bonkers.
It does gift viewers with a couple of funny/humorous moments, but they neither make or break the film.
In short, You will really like it, or you will hate it. Either way, see it before someone with less courtesy spoils it for you.
(The casting of Alexander Skarsgard was genius).
6.5-7/10.
Destined to be a cult/midnight movie.
flozenmotion7 September 2022
Takes it's time and has a massive second act hook that absolutely changes the film, really a huge sucker punch with absurd comedy. It's baffling at times, absolutely insane and there isn't another film you're going to see like it for years. The craziest horror theater experience I've had since Tusk. It's dark, it's funny, it's shocking. Could not recommend a film more, go see it while it's still in theaters to see with a crowd and hear their reactions.
GO IN BLIND AND DO NOT WATCH TRAILERS!!! You deserve to experience this wildness for yourself. It's also shot beautifully and the performances all are pitch perfect for the scenes they are in. Justin Long is a blessing and we do not deserve him.
GO IN BLIND AND DO NOT WATCH TRAILERS!!! You deserve to experience this wildness for yourself. It's also shot beautifully and the performances all are pitch perfect for the scenes they are in. Justin Long is a blessing and we do not deserve him.
A fun ride.
schlomo-jones10 September 2022
I went in totally blind, with no expectations whatsoever as I only heard of this movie the day I decided to watch it. I think that's the best way to enjoy it.
This is campy horror film that has all the classic tropes from horror movies of a home invasion, with some fun twists and turns in it. This is definitely more of campy film though. Not quite as a campy as movies like Child's Play or Leprechan, but definitely not a true horror movie that will give you nightmares like the Ring or the Excorcist.
Bill Skarsgård really does a great job setting things up, and Georgina Campbell serves well as the classic "damsel in the distress." Justin Long is truly hilarious. This pokes fun at a lot of hororr movie tropes while still being scary enough to have audiences jumping out of their seats. It's a movie that's best seen with a lot of friends in a packed theater. But I don't think it will be a horror classic.
This is campy horror film that has all the classic tropes from horror movies of a home invasion, with some fun twists and turns in it. This is definitely more of campy film though. Not quite as a campy as movies like Child's Play or Leprechan, but definitely not a true horror movie that will give you nightmares like the Ring or the Excorcist.
Bill Skarsgård really does a great job setting things up, and Georgina Campbell serves well as the classic "damsel in the distress." Justin Long is truly hilarious. This pokes fun at a lot of hororr movie tropes while still being scary enough to have audiences jumping out of their seats. It's a movie that's best seen with a lot of friends in a packed theater. But I don't think it will be a horror classic.
Did they change the writer halfway through?
Watcher4229 October 2022
The first act is pretty good. Atmospheric, nuanced, interesting, decent acting - especially from Skarsgard. I did have to really suspend my disbelief a lot to allow the film to move forward though. Double booked AirBnB, no hotel rooms available, the main charcater had done no research on the area before arriving. Really?
The second act started well and was enhanced because of the events of the first. It works because it sets the audience up in a position where we have more knowledge than the newly introduced characters. It added tension and I was interested in what direction they would take the story.
I liked the way the first two acts played with the personalities / backgrounds of the male leads. Hinting and leaning into social stereotypes but leaving a few clues to the real intentions. It works quite well. I may be crediting the writers too much here, but I think I get the underlying message of this film, but it just gets lost by the end.
The longer the film goes on (and it does feel a bit overlong), the more ridiculous it gets. It feels like it's written by two different people; or they spent so much time on the first half of the movie they had to rush the rest. There are some truly stupid moments that are almost farcical comedy. All the tension drained out of the film, and it just became a series of ridiculous scenes strung together. Events are telegraphed way ahead of time. All the nuance is gone.
It's so disappointing that something so creepy and initially interesting can go so wrong. Ignoring the stupid decisions made by the main charcater in the first act, I would have scored it a 7. The acting is good, the direction is solid, but the story just drags it down so much that by the end I can only give it a 4.
The second act started well and was enhanced because of the events of the first. It works because it sets the audience up in a position where we have more knowledge than the newly introduced characters. It added tension and I was interested in what direction they would take the story.
I liked the way the first two acts played with the personalities / backgrounds of the male leads. Hinting and leaning into social stereotypes but leaving a few clues to the real intentions. It works quite well. I may be crediting the writers too much here, but I think I get the underlying message of this film, but it just gets lost by the end.
The longer the film goes on (and it does feel a bit overlong), the more ridiculous it gets. It feels like it's written by two different people; or they spent so much time on the first half of the movie they had to rush the rest. There are some truly stupid moments that are almost farcical comedy. All the tension drained out of the film, and it just became a series of ridiculous scenes strung together. Events are telegraphed way ahead of time. All the nuance is gone.
It's so disappointing that something so creepy and initially interesting can go so wrong. Ignoring the stupid decisions made by the main charcater in the first act, I would have scored it a 7. The acting is good, the direction is solid, but the story just drags it down so much that by the end I can only give it a 4.
Loved Some Sections, Others Left More To Be Desired
ThereelscoopwithKK17 September 2022
For most I think this is one of those either you love it or you hate it movies. After viewing a couple of days ago I still am having issues deciding on which side of that divide I fall. For me, the opening act was exceptional. Skarsgård was fantastic in his role and Campbell also played her part excellently ( for the entire film really), but the two together had a perfect horror chemistry for me. I really was craving more screen time with both of them.
The movie then tries to combine a couple different backstories and attach them all together. I would say this was done with moderate success. The exposure of the character flaws was achieved through these backstories that helped the movie display the themes it set out to, however I felt a lot of time was wasted on irrelevant scenes. I suppose this was an attempt to keep you on your toes, but after knowing how the story ends I would have liked other areas of the story to be explored in a little more detail. Specifically, focusing a little bit more on "the mothers" history could have been quite powerful and informing. Instead, the audience is tasked with having to sort of use its imagination to envision exactly how "the mother" became what she is.
Overall, it was fine, loved some parts and hated others. However, I definitely don't see how this would ever be elevated to the level of a "classic".
The movie then tries to combine a couple different backstories and attach them all together. I would say this was done with moderate success. The exposure of the character flaws was achieved through these backstories that helped the movie display the themes it set out to, however I felt a lot of time was wasted on irrelevant scenes. I suppose this was an attempt to keep you on your toes, but after knowing how the story ends I would have liked other areas of the story to be explored in a little more detail. Specifically, focusing a little bit more on "the mothers" history could have been quite powerful and informing. Instead, the audience is tasked with having to sort of use its imagination to envision exactly how "the mother" became what she is.
Overall, it was fine, loved some parts and hated others. However, I definitely don't see how this would ever be elevated to the level of a "classic".
You're gonna lose your life in Detroit Rock City.
BA_Harrison8 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Barbarian features a warped premise that could have been amazingly terrifying and unique, but which doesn't quite click, despite a decent cast and solid direction from Zach Cregger, who also wrote the film. I think my issue is that the basic set-up offers opportunities to go to some seriously dark and twisted places, but the final product only goes part of the way.
Georgina Campbell plays Tess, who books an Airbnb in Detroit so that she can attend a job interview; however, when she arrives in what appears to be very bad neighbourhood, the property is already occupied by a young man, Keith (Bill Skarsgård), who claims that he has also rented the house. With nowhere else to go, Tess accepts Keith's offer for her to stay the night. Tension and uneasiness is established, Keith's behaviour seemingly off.
Keith, as it turns out, isn't the danger, for unbeknownst to either of the occupants, hidden behind a secret door in the cellar is a network of rooms and passageways, home to a hideous inbred mutant mother who captures people to keep as her 'babies'.
That sounds messed up, and it is, but Cregger's script doesn't fully exploit it's potential. At it's weirdest, disgraced Hollywood actor AJ (Justin Long), owner of the house, is forced to suckle from the mutant mother's breast (Long sure picks 'em!), but I wanted much more from the film: the mother should have been seen putting AJ in a diaper, spooning disgusting food into his mouth, putting him in a cradle etc. AJ is such a slimeball that he deserves to suffer more.
I would also have liked to have seen more of the backstory: a flashback shows weirdo Frank (Richard Brake) preparing for the birth of one of his children by shopping for baby goods, but the film glosses over how he abducted women and used them to bear his kids in his underground lair, and how these children grew up to have more children, until the result was the deformed mutant we see in the film. The comparisons to Josef Fritzl are interesting and it would have been good to have seen them explored further.
However, when all is said and done, Barbarian is still a fun ride, with plenty of atmosphere, another enjoyable turn from Long, a great 'creature', and a bit of gore, so I doubt horror fans will come away disappointed. I just wanted it to be crazier.
6/10.
Georgina Campbell plays Tess, who books an Airbnb in Detroit so that she can attend a job interview; however, when she arrives in what appears to be very bad neighbourhood, the property is already occupied by a young man, Keith (Bill Skarsgård), who claims that he has also rented the house. With nowhere else to go, Tess accepts Keith's offer for her to stay the night. Tension and uneasiness is established, Keith's behaviour seemingly off.
Keith, as it turns out, isn't the danger, for unbeknownst to either of the occupants, hidden behind a secret door in the cellar is a network of rooms and passageways, home to a hideous inbred mutant mother who captures people to keep as her 'babies'.
That sounds messed up, and it is, but Cregger's script doesn't fully exploit it's potential. At it's weirdest, disgraced Hollywood actor AJ (Justin Long), owner of the house, is forced to suckle from the mutant mother's breast (Long sure picks 'em!), but I wanted much more from the film: the mother should have been seen putting AJ in a diaper, spooning disgusting food into his mouth, putting him in a cradle etc. AJ is such a slimeball that he deserves to suffer more.
I would also have liked to have seen more of the backstory: a flashback shows weirdo Frank (Richard Brake) preparing for the birth of one of his children by shopping for baby goods, but the film glosses over how he abducted women and used them to bear his kids in his underground lair, and how these children grew up to have more children, until the result was the deformed mutant we see in the film. The comparisons to Josef Fritzl are interesting and it would have been good to have seen them explored further.
However, when all is said and done, Barbarian is still a fun ride, with plenty of atmosphere, another enjoyable turn from Long, a great 'creature', and a bit of gore, so I doubt horror fans will come away disappointed. I just wanted it to be crazier.
6/10.
Too Many Loose Ends
TimWalker42613 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Before I dig into what I didn't like here, I'll discuss what I thought was good. Cinematography as a whole was excellent, some of the best in a long time. Soundtrack was also great. The first act of this movie was incredible. If the goal was for us not to know whether or not Keith was good or bad, they succeeded. The suspense and tension was certainly there. But then, we get into Act 2. This is essentially where this whole thing fell off. Below are a series of questions that never got answer.
These are just a series of loose ends.
Ultimately, the movie had SO much potential and had a perfect setup. The tension was right, the suspense was perfect. The acting was great across the board. They knew when to blend comedy into it. I just didn't like the fact that they had so many good potential plot devices that the writers just forgot about.
- Why did the double booking happen? Was it just a happenstance plot device that was the only way the story could occur?
- Why did the rental company deny that Keith and Tess were there once AJ showed up?
- Why did the person conducting Tess' job interview say that the area Tess was staying in is one she should not be in? It had a very sinister tone without a real purpose. Maybe she just thought a girl shouldn't be alone by herself in a rough area.
- What about the guy who originally lived in the house? Was all that just to give context to the camera room and such? Why'd he have 10 minutes of screen time to himself if he was gonna go out the way he did?
- Was the house haunted by ghosts or just the energy of this monstrous lady living in the underground below the home?
These are just a series of loose ends.
Ultimately, the movie had SO much potential and had a perfect setup. The tension was right, the suspense was perfect. The acting was great across the board. They knew when to blend comedy into it. I just didn't like the fact that they had so many good potential plot devices that the writers just forgot about.
Two Movies in One...
bluetzin29 October 2022
When i watched barbarian i felt like i manipulated in all different directions..in a good way, i couldn't guess where the plot was going and it wasn't obvious who was the bad and who the good one... extra credits to the trailer that didn't expose anything... not even the so called 'mama' and in general the movie didn't let you predict anything...The first act was great... the second one it could be better.. i felt like it was two different movies.. the second part was kind of sequel that rarely is better than the authentic first movie. The First movie always has the atmosphere vibes and the jumpscares... and the second one the visuals and the brutal scenes...Well it was just like that. It was good horror stuff.. i can't denny it. Maybe a better balance was needed comparing the first act to the second.. it's kind of weird how they use the same set up for different outcomes.
a well placed "nope"
ferguson-68 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. It's a dark, stormy night. If that's not scary enough, Tess is in Detroit. She hops out of her car and dashes to the front door only to find the key is missing from the lockbox. Her Airbnb has been double-booked and a confused and sleepy man answers the door. When Tess agrees to 'come in', we veterans of the horror genre know exactly where this movie is headed. The only problem with our theory is that writer-director Zach Cregger has made it his mission to mess with our heads - and the genre - by confounding us at every turn.
Georgina Campbell ("Broadchurch") plays Tess and Bill Skarsgard (Pennywise in IT, 2017) is Keith, the settled Airbnb tenant. The two actors are superb during their awkward encounter, as Tess comes across as an intelligent and cautious woman, fully aware of the red flags in this situation. Keith is a bit shy, yet polite and accommodating - and also aware of what might make Tess uncomfortable. But Keith looks exactly like the guy who played Pennywise, so Skarsgard's look results in the perfect contrast with this character's demeanor ... keeping us viewers (and Tess) on our toes.
It's really the structure of the storytelling that gives this one a creative punch. Cregger serves up 3 different perspectives and then tries to wrap things up in a final act. I actually found all three puzzle pieces well done and interesting, leaving only the wrap-up a bit lacking. In addition to Tess and Keith, we get Justin Long as a cocky actor named AJ cruising along the California coast in his convertible, singing along at full pitch. A phone call abruptly shifts the tone and soon AJ is on a flight leading him to the front porch of a rental property he owns in Detroit. Yep, the same Airbnb Keith and Tess double-booked. Thirdly, there is a flashback to well-kept homes with perfectly manicured lawns. Right again ... the same house a few decades earlier before blight took over the neighborhood. It's in this stage where we note the homeowner (played by Richard Brake) follows a young woman home from the store and gains entrance under false pretenses.
If this seems like a lot to tie into one horror film, that's because it is. We'd like to know more about Tess. We welcome AJ's natural sarcasm, and Brake's early years could have been the creepiest of the bunch. Cregger excels at atmospheric tension, especially in the always dreaded dank basement with hidden hallways and secret rooms. He's also clever with his misdirection and inclusion of contemporary issues like immediate ramifications of accusations, and the defensive mode that women must maintain when deciding to accept a cup of tea. I certainly enjoyed the jolting cuts from one storyline to the next. However, I will admit to feeling frustration that Tess was set up as such an intelligent person, only to make multiple decisions that force us to suspend disbelief ... a trait of far too many horror films.
Opens in theaters on September 9, 2022.
Georgina Campbell ("Broadchurch") plays Tess and Bill Skarsgard (Pennywise in IT, 2017) is Keith, the settled Airbnb tenant. The two actors are superb during their awkward encounter, as Tess comes across as an intelligent and cautious woman, fully aware of the red flags in this situation. Keith is a bit shy, yet polite and accommodating - and also aware of what might make Tess uncomfortable. But Keith looks exactly like the guy who played Pennywise, so Skarsgard's look results in the perfect contrast with this character's demeanor ... keeping us viewers (and Tess) on our toes.
It's really the structure of the storytelling that gives this one a creative punch. Cregger serves up 3 different perspectives and then tries to wrap things up in a final act. I actually found all three puzzle pieces well done and interesting, leaving only the wrap-up a bit lacking. In addition to Tess and Keith, we get Justin Long as a cocky actor named AJ cruising along the California coast in his convertible, singing along at full pitch. A phone call abruptly shifts the tone and soon AJ is on a flight leading him to the front porch of a rental property he owns in Detroit. Yep, the same Airbnb Keith and Tess double-booked. Thirdly, there is a flashback to well-kept homes with perfectly manicured lawns. Right again ... the same house a few decades earlier before blight took over the neighborhood. It's in this stage where we note the homeowner (played by Richard Brake) follows a young woman home from the store and gains entrance under false pretenses.
If this seems like a lot to tie into one horror film, that's because it is. We'd like to know more about Tess. We welcome AJ's natural sarcasm, and Brake's early years could have been the creepiest of the bunch. Cregger excels at atmospheric tension, especially in the always dreaded dank basement with hidden hallways and secret rooms. He's also clever with his misdirection and inclusion of contemporary issues like immediate ramifications of accusations, and the defensive mode that women must maintain when deciding to accept a cup of tea. I certainly enjoyed the jolting cuts from one storyline to the next. However, I will admit to feeling frustration that Tess was set up as such an intelligent person, only to make multiple decisions that force us to suspend disbelief ... a trait of far too many horror films.
Opens in theaters on September 9, 2022.
Make Sure To Get Front Row Seats!
dmurilloroman9 September 2022
I've been waiting to see Barbarian for awhile because the trailer for this film has been one of the best I've seen in a long time because it scares you while also not telling you what's going to happen in the movie. The film relies a lot on tension and does so in such an expert manner with absolutely no cheap jump scares in sight. Another positive point is how straight to the point the movie is. It starts off quickly and there is little to no fluff in the film which I prefer. This film also does something relatively new in the horror film genre by dividing the film up to involve different characters perspectives which I actually loved. I recommend you get the front row seats like me and my gf did because I think it's worth it for that first big scare. You're able to feel extremely uneasy with the sadistic theme music and the up-close experience which I love when I know I'm walking into a scary movie. Lastly, the film was written and directed by Zach Creggers who did work mostly as an actor in some small projects which really makes me curious as to how many original great scripts are not being made out there because of someone's credentials. I really recommend you go see this film in its first week!
Come for a night, stay forever.
AfricanBro10 September 2022
I had really low expectations when it started because because it begins exactly the same as "Weekenders" did which really wasn't a great movie, different genres though. Over half an hour in I still wasn't sure where exactly the movie was heading, but when things turn dark the thrill starts, old school horror-esque.
My only complaint, which unfortunately seemed like it was done deliberately, is that once the horror starts, the movie introduces a completely new character arc and you have to wait for it to build up all again, it purposely teases the eerie stuff which is frustrating because you know the good stuff's coming but not yet. And it does this several times, keeps resetting which makes the second act seem off paced but it all comes together in the end.
It was a conventional horror like you'd remember in the 2010's, not really prismatic or director trying to reinvent the wheel; it's just people stuck trying to escape from something in a 'haunted' house. And I like how there was still logical explanation, albeit a disturbing one. A few details that weren't explained, didn't seem to have the time to as it tries to introduce all the characters properly.
The last act of the movie is all eerie, it however doesn't climax as hard as I anticipated, thought they'd have more fight but it still did a pretty decent job and the finale scene was sensible end. Almost everything about the movie was better than I expected, I suggest going in blind.
My only complaint, which unfortunately seemed like it was done deliberately, is that once the horror starts, the movie introduces a completely new character arc and you have to wait for it to build up all again, it purposely teases the eerie stuff which is frustrating because you know the good stuff's coming but not yet. And it does this several times, keeps resetting which makes the second act seem off paced but it all comes together in the end.
It was a conventional horror like you'd remember in the 2010's, not really prismatic or director trying to reinvent the wheel; it's just people stuck trying to escape from something in a 'haunted' house. And I like how there was still logical explanation, albeit a disturbing one. A few details that weren't explained, didn't seem to have the time to as it tries to introduce all the characters properly.
The last act of the movie is all eerie, it however doesn't climax as hard as I anticipated, thought they'd have more fight but it still did a pretty decent job and the finale scene was sensible end. Almost everything about the movie was better than I expected, I suggest going in blind.
every place has something to reveal
lee_eisenberg14 September 2022
Having not seen any trailers, I went into Zach Cregger's "Barbarian" knowing only that it was about a woman who books a house, only to discover that a man also booked the house, leading to questions of what happened. It turns out that's only the starting point. This is one movie that really plays with the audience. Even after the most shocking scenes - of which there are many - you still have no idea what's coming.
My point is that this is one of the most innovative horror movies in years. Maybe not like "Psycho" or "The Shining", but this is still one for the ages. Definitely check it out.
So yes, Rikki Tikki Tavi, won't you be my baby?
My point is that this is one of the most innovative horror movies in years. Maybe not like "Psycho" or "The Shining", but this is still one for the ages. Definitely check it out.
So yes, Rikki Tikki Tavi, won't you be my baby?
Worth Watching
liamsmith-3441619 July 2023
Honestly not a bad movie at all. If you are reading the reviews, the obvious general consensus is that the beginning of the movie was great and the ending sucks. And although that is completely true, I do still think it was worth the watch. The first half of the movie was extremely intriguing and suspenseful to say the least, especially if you watched the trailer and only the trailer before hand (no other spoilers).
Acting was great, climax was corny at times, cinematography was very well done with some really interesting shots, and overall plot was an interesting concept for a majority of the film at least...
If you are considering watching this movie, do it, you will not regret your decision.
Acting was great, climax was corny at times, cinematography was very well done with some really interesting shots, and overall plot was an interesting concept for a majority of the film at least...
If you are considering watching this movie, do it, you will not regret your decision.
I honestly can't believe people liked this movie
brucebigelow-1087326 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What am I missing? The entire plot was so stupid.
Main character books a stay in a house in Detroit without google mapping the area Uh, huh. All the hotels in Detroit are booked because of a convention. Uh, huh. She leaves her Jeep outside all night, and it isn't completely vandalized. Uh, huh. She goes down dark hallway by herself. Uh, huh. Guy goes down completely dark tunnel by himself with no flashlight. Uh, huh. Old couple living for 40 years in basement with no food supply. Uh, huh. Malnourished women is super strong and can leap out of pit with Justin Long on her back. Uh, huh. Cops completely ignore woman who says she' was held captive because they think she's a crackhead. Even though she's beautiful and articulate. Uh, huh. Guy accidently shoots girl even though his flashlight was shining on her. Uh, huh. Guy completely forgets he has gun then fumbles it away. Uh, huh. Girl is thrown off water tower, but super strong malnourished woman jumps after her.3 seconds later and cushions her fall defying law of gravity. Uh, huh.
Main character books a stay in a house in Detroit without google mapping the area Uh, huh. All the hotels in Detroit are booked because of a convention. Uh, huh. She leaves her Jeep outside all night, and it isn't completely vandalized. Uh, huh. She goes down dark hallway by herself. Uh, huh. Guy goes down completely dark tunnel by himself with no flashlight. Uh, huh. Old couple living for 40 years in basement with no food supply. Uh, huh. Malnourished women is super strong and can leap out of pit with Justin Long on her back. Uh, huh. Cops completely ignore woman who says she' was held captive because they think she's a crackhead. Even though she's beautiful and articulate. Uh, huh. Guy accidently shoots girl even though his flashlight was shining on her. Uh, huh. Guy completely forgets he has gun then fumbles it away. Uh, huh. Girl is thrown off water tower, but super strong malnourished woman jumps after her.3 seconds later and cushions her fall defying law of gravity. Uh, huh.
It's great... until it's not
fiend-9382528 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The movie started out strong from the set pieces, performances to the tension. The second act balanced quite nicely between horror and comedic relief. The characters were surprisingly rational with their decisions, a rare trait in recent horror media.
However, the ending really insulted the audience. An extra character showed up solely as a plot device. They did briefly show the real backstory but it just felt so half-assed. Some stuff was never explained like how the cops ignore the protagonists, or the person who pointed them to this particular AirBnb...
Overall, it was going so well until the ending where I actually laughed out loud at how ridiculous it was. It was like either the director got tired of making the movie by the end or they ran out of budget and just decided that was good enough.
However, the ending really insulted the audience. An extra character showed up solely as a plot device. They did briefly show the real backstory but it just felt so half-assed. Some stuff was never explained like how the cops ignore the protagonists, or the person who pointed them to this particular AirBnb...
Overall, it was going so well until the ending where I actually laughed out loud at how ridiculous it was. It was like either the director got tired of making the movie by the end or they ran out of budget and just decided that was good enough.
A film of two halves
Leofwine_draca11 January 2023
BARBARIAN was a film of two halves for me, with a really good and tension-filled first half which keeps you guessing throughout. It goes for the low-key Blumhouse approach and elicits a couple of fine understated performances from Campbell and Skarsgard to strong effect. The Detroit setting is extremely well evoked and some of the subterranean sequences are wonderfully creepy, so that's all for the good. Unfortunately there's a tonal shift halfway through when things get more explicit and rather juvenile at times. We don't need gross-out bits in films like this, even if I did appreciate the overall subtext about male behaviour. Maybe some female involvement behind the camera would have worked better.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
