Review of The Mothman Prophecies (2002) by Brad H — 01 Apr 2010

Richard Gere confronts weird goings-on in this intensely chilling psychological horror/thriller.

I found it surprisng at first that I rate Horror films lower on average then the films from other genres. I enjoy the Horror theme as a whole (in films, books, games, etc) and have several Horror flicks in amongst my DVD collection. After a little more consideration I've come to the conclusion that this is because although I do like Horror it has to be made to a specific style and taste for me to throughly enjoy it. "Torture Porn" and crappy straight-to-DVD horror seems to be big in my hometown (if the shelves of my local rental movie place is anything to go by) and I personally have no taste for the vast majority of the stuff. I prefer my Horror to be psychological and that if there IS blood and gore that it doesn't exploit it merely for the sake of being able to.

The Mothman Prophecies is a great example of my kind of Horror. It has next to no blood (it isn't necessary), and despite the fact that you see little more then imagery of the film's supposed monster the film still chills me to the bone, making me feel uncomfortable watching it in the dark or/and on my own. Afterwards the chill still lingers, making me jump at my own shadow. Not many Horrors do that for me!

The last time I watched this film I finally grasped what it is that makes this film so creepy. It's a cunning combination of sound and visuals that I wouldn't have spot if I hadn't been looking for it. The camera acts like a monster. With its inhuman angled shots it watches menacingly from the corners of the room and ceiling. It often peeps out from behind things, watching characters from behind a tree or bookshelf, or peeping over a fence or bed. It stalks up on characters from behind and swoops over our countryside and cities. It looks out with malice from the over side of mirrors and windows. When it moves close to a character's face rather then hold its position steadily it never stops twitching and jerking (even if only gently). There's also colour distortions and conversions which make sightings of the creature seem frightening and alien. I also thought there was more subtle -almost subliminal- visual tricks at work. At least once I was sure I could see the winged shape descibed by many of the characters in the film as part of the scenery. This was most clear in a mid-way part of the film in which creases in a patterned curtain make the exact image with the design. Just my imagination? Maybe.

This is combined with a cacophony of electrical noises, errie sounds and pulse-like musical scores. There's high pitched white noise and distortions, there's sinister breathing and gentle whispers. Then it shocks you with sudden screams and intense ringing sounds. The tension is barely relieved in more talky areas of the film- instead of the flood of sound effects there is a dead quiet lull to the background- only the voices of the characters can be heard.

The combination of all of these elements together makes a constant feel of unease. As new revelations are made in the film you can feel your hairs stand on end. When a local makes an account of what they saw you feel a cold chill that makes you shiver. The noises make your blood run cold and your body tingle. It's all old techniques, but the combination used together is fresh and very effective in making your nerves on edge!

Don't be fooled into thinking this film is an intense rush all the way through though. Despite its intense chills it prefers to keep control and subject you to fear in a continuous and steady dose. In fact this could be its only down fall as it enjoys lingering on each of its creppy moments just a little too long and the last 20 minutes see a gradual release from its terrifying hold (rather then finishing with you totally unable to sleep for a couple of days). Don't expect any answers at the end either- in the style of other supernatural thrillers such as "The X-Files" (which this film seems to have definately borrowed from) it will leave you with more questions then it answers.

The Mothman Prophecies is at least based on real events (one or two occurences in the film are actually real life case files given by eye witnesses who claim to have seen this creature back in the 1960s), and the film is practically beaming about this- it reminds you both at the beginning and end (to think that some of the accounts in the film were really reported makes this all the more frightening). The characters therefore are all average Joes, and the actors all give a suitably sincere performance to match this. Richard Gere who seems a little out of his element in a film like this is great as the everyday man struggling to believe the weirdness that he is piecing together.

THE VERDICT?

Despite its gentle pacing The Mothman Prophecies (for most) will be an unnerving and genuinely scary experience. Those hoping for spades of gore and cheap scares will be disappointed. Few Horror films these days manage to REALLY chill to the bone, but this one hits home. It's just a shame the film's intense tones waver as it comes to a close.

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WHAT LIES BENEATH.

Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer face a similar- but less effective- set of scares in this slow Horror/Thriller with a bad guy twist you won't be expecting!