Review of Goodnight Mommy (2015) by Erika S — 12 Sep 2015

Captivating and psychologically disturbing, this movie is everything I had hoped it would be. It's freaky, artfully shot and aesthetically beautiful to boot. The well crafted twists and turns keep you busy trying to decide who you should be rooting for, and every time you think you've sided, something happens to make you reevaluate your standpoint. Although it's clear a twist is coming there are almost too many candidates set up for you to choose from allowing the element of surprise to slap you with full force. You know it's coming, you're just not sure how. I will say it isn't as terrifying as it is unnerving. I felt the same way about "The Babadook"--underwhelmed by the lack of terror but thrilled nonetheless. It's a slow-burn kind of horror, the kind that won't necessarily make you jump or creep you out at night when you're home alone, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I damn near chewed my nails down to the bone. There is some pretty gruesome gore and violence but none of it is excessive or unsupported by the story.  Every decision made by the twins follows a logic that we as onlookers are able to comprehend, which is why when the slow ride quickly escalates into a tailspin, you can't help but feel blind-sided.

If you like "Funny Games", "The Babadook", or "Audition." you'll dig it. Go see it before you hear too many opionions or spoilers.