Barbarian (2022)

Widely considered to be one of the years’ most inventive and intriguing horrors, Zach Cregger’s solo directorial debut certainly offers up an enticing premise. A young woman (Tess, a thoroughly believable Georgina Campbell) arrives at an Airbnb in a rain drenched Detroit neighbourhood in preparation for a job interview the following day, only to find that someone is already staying there (Bill Skarsgard’s Keith). The set up is fascinating; how can she possibly trust Bill? Why is he there? Who has messed up the booking? All sorts of creepy prospects seem in store, and you spend the first third of the film or so wondering what’s going on, and why. Unfortunately, something happens about half an hour or so in that then sends the film on a completely different route, one that reduces the film to a completely generic horror film, complete with jump scares and forced back stories (Justin Long’s appearance is a welcome one, but his character’s through arc is so predictable that you can see it within two minutes of him arriving on screen). It’s easy to see why the synopsis for the film is what it is, and also why the trailer offers no more of a premise. The final third of the film lost this viewer completely, waiting for the inevitable thrills and spills of a gory horror climax, long after I’d lost interest. Clearly Barbarian is working for the masses however, its rave reviews from critics will have horror fans flocking to the cinema in their droves for a film that will fulfill the needs of plenty; dull jump scares you sit there waiting for, gore to satisfy those who need it, and some back story that will have people nodding their approval at the films finale. Its lack of a sinister atmosphere after the opening leaves a gaping hole, gleefully filled by the bog standard middle of the road mainstream horror lovers, leaving the rest of us with heavy eyelids and growing disappointment. 3.9/10