The best kind of horror films are those whose stories are unpredictable along with being extremely entertaining and genuinely creepy. In addition to terrifying audiences, these films aim to misdirect with random twists and turns which challenge their original perceptions of the story. That's certainly what 20th Century Studios aspires to do with Barbarian with the newest horror flick taking audiences on a bizarre thrill ride that keeps audiences guessing as to what's transpires next. The end result is an entertaining horror experience that'll surprise horror fans with its creativity along with its ambition in attempting something different.
Barbarian has a young woman (Georgina Campbell) discovering that the rental home she booked is already occupied by a stranger. Going against her better judgment, she decides to spend the night but soon discovers that there's something scarier occupying the rental than just an unexpected host. Barbarian's plot is one that's unpredictable and jaw-dropping as it takes major turns with the direction of its story. When audiences think that they know what to expect from things as they unfold, the filmmakers take a sharp turn while keeping things connected. Although it's unconventional form of storytelling may pose as being confusing and polarizing for audiences, Barbarian has much to offer as being a clever and darkly humorous ride that subverts expectations in the most interesting and unexpected way.
One of Barbarian's most powerful assets in making it so effective as a horror story is the performances from its cast which mostly rank as being impressive overall. Georgina Campbell shines as the films main female character Tess Marshall, whose staying in Detroit for an interview and ends up sharing the Airbnb with the stranger occupying it. Campbell makes for a likable and sympathetic character whom audiences want to see make it to the end of the film. Bill Skarsgard is terrific as stranger Kieth Toshko, who double books the Airbnb with Tess. Skarsgard does a fine job of building up mystery surrounding his character with audiences going back and forth on whether his character is sinister or just strange. Justin Long shines as cancelled sitcom actor AJ Gilbrid, who owns the Airbnb and finds himself becoming apart of the terror. Long excels in playing an unlikeable narcissist, who believes that he's done nothing wrong to anyone. The rest of Barbarian's cast deliver solid supporting roles with Matthew Patrick Davis giving an absolutely chilling performance as the films antagonist, The Mother. Richard Brake also proves effective as the houses original owner Frank, and Jaymes Butler as Andre. As a whole, the cast does a fantastic job with making audiences believe in the films brilliantly terrifying scenario.
Barbarian's directing by Zach Cregger is commendable with how he establishes an atmosphere, which falls within the category of being both tense and creepy. In addition to surrounding the films key characters with rooms consisting of dark shadows to emphasize the mystery surrounding the rental, the cinematography presents the daytime scenes as being almost dream like with its use of sunlight. Some of the films gruesome bits include a head being bashed against a wall until it becomes a bloody pulp, eye-gouging, and an arm being ripped off and being used as a club. The editing has the story flying by relatively quick for its 103 minute running time with the foreboding soundtrack propelling the suspense. As far as directorial work goes, Cregger skillfully crafts an extremely dark and creepy horror piece that'll undoubtedly keep audiences at the edge of their seat in terms of what happens next, though they may find the ultimate reveal of the sinister force that's occupying the rental to be disappointing.
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Along with Barbarian's skillful directing, the writing works as being fairly strong with the script building up the mystery behind the Airbnb with its ultimate reveal being shocking. The story is broken up into multiple chapters for the audience to unpack with the first half covering Tess and Keith's encounter before switching over to Long's character being introduced and revealed as the owner of the Airbnb with his character attempting to solve the mystery behind the previous occupiers (Tess) disappearance. The film also introduces a flashback to show the origins of the rentals previous owner who kidnapped and locked women in the basement. Although the numerous chapters and different character subplots may appear disorganized at first, they ultimately snap together and show that they're all connected with the events introduced in the films first half with the latter brilliantly establishing the characters as well as themes consisting of paranoia and mistrust, particularly in regards to the male and female dynamic in the films opening. The audience isn't sure what to make of Bill Skarsgard's character in terms of whether he's a trustworthy person or someone plotting something sinister given that Tess is sharing the rental. The audience is also kept in suspense in regards to whether Long's character is redeemable given the heinous accusations being leveled against him. The films third act consists of bizarre moments, which will both confuse and disturb audiences such as an intense horror sequence involving breastfeeding. Overall, Barbarian's writing carries a clever mixture of old-school suspense and buildup of tension that makes it a unique catch for horror fans, though the films third act will test whether they're appreciative of the films non-conformative style of filmmaking.
If one goes into Barbarian expecting a horror experience that's twisty, creepy, and ultimately fun to watch, they'll have a blast watching it because they have the right expectations set for it going in. However, if horror fans are expecting a straight-forward narrative that's easy to follow then they're in for a genuine surprise as Barbarian pulls no punches in its desire to take horror fans on a non-traditional horror-filled ride. There's no denying that Barbarian's concept is one that makes it both mysterious and intriguing with horror fans being given an experience that's undeniably smart, surprisingly funny, darkly terrifying, and ultimately worthwhile.
Final Verdict: A must see for horror fans, though ext the story to take a different path about midway through before returning to its original form.
Images Courtesy Of 20th Century Studios
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