Movie review: Barbarian (2022)
Is it a horror movie worth your time?
Directed by: Zach Cregger
Starring: Georgina Cambell, Justin Long and Bill Skarsgård
The movie synopsis on IMDB is as follows:
In town for a job interview, a young woman arrives at her Airbnb rental late at night only to find that the house has been mistakenly double-booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgment, she decides to stay the night anyway, but soon discovers that there is much more to be afraid of in the house than the other house guest.
The movie right of the bat, is very tense and creates a creepy atmosphere that is sure to get under the skin of the viewers. The director has opted for a very fresh and unique concept that keeps you guessing what will happen next and subverts your imagination.
The performances of all the cast members are great throughout the movie. Especially in the first half of the movie, the dynamic shared by Georgina Cambell and Bill Skarsgård is wonderful and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats, as they try to figure out what is really going on in the house.
I was pleasantly surprised with this movie and I’m sure horror fans will have a very good time with this movie. The movie has several unsettling moments with a shocking twist in the first act that is sure to send shivers down your spine. The makers don't rely a lot on jump scares and instead have a lot of twists and turns to keep you entertained. The cinematography by Zach Kuperstein is splendid, and the movie does a really good job of getting the attention of the viewers.
The movie has a very strong first act. However, I found the climax of the movie to be a bit underwhelming and I’m not really sure why the director opted for this ending. Also, in my opinion the character played by Bill Skarsgård was completely wasted towards the end of the first half. I would have loved it, had the makers given his character more depth and screen time. Bill Skarsgård is a fantastic actor and has gained a lot of praise for his acting abilities. Who could forget his performance as “Pennywise” in the “IT” film series.
Nevertheless, Barbarian for the most part is still a well-made horror movie with good writing. The movie could have benefited with a stronger final act and a more definitive ending.
In order to enjoy this movie, my recommendation is to avoid watching the trailers and go into the movie blind.
Final rating: 7.3/10
If you enjoyed this article, please follow my publication (Raspberry Reviews — Medium) here on Medium for more reviews. If you wish to support my writing here on Medium and get unlimited access to the articles from me and thousands of other writers, do consider signing up using my referral link.
