Review of A Cure for Wellness (2017) by K Nife C — 19 Feb 2017

After careful thought and consideration, it would be a lie if I said that I didn't positively enjoy this film. I have nothing but pity for the many critics that are panning it. They might do well to watch a Bergman film between every other superhero circlejerk, but I digress.

What "A Cure for Wellness" lacks in scripting and performances, it more than makes up for with atmosphere and absolutely gorgeous photography. It brings to mind the delirium of 1970's British horror productions like "The Wicker Man" and "Blood on Satan's Claw" while adhering to smooth, sustained camera work inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky.

Obviously there isn't as much to unpack here as from a movie like "Solaris" but one can still find joy in its simplicity and the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The plot is an amalgamation of the classic Count Dracula tale, the movie "Altered States", and the H.

P. Lovecraft story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth". Director Gore Verbinski has had a checkered past in film, delivering crowd-pleasers like the first three "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.

If you really hold those type of children's movies close to your heart, you probably aren't going to have the patience for this movie. If you enjoyed Verbinski's "The Ring", this offers some equally creepy imagery with a more discerning eye on the color and set design.

One problem I can see is that it adds up to about five acts throughout it's two and half hour run time. So if your bladder is weak, the constant water imagery will trigger you about every three minutes.

I could be harsher on Dane DeHaan or the multiple endings, but Jason Isaacs is great. Plus, I had plenty of time to soak up the stylistic ambition.