I like this movie but I don't think its utterly amazing (10 stars) or terrible (1 or 2 stars). This is quite obviously a low budget movie so no one should be expecting a cast of a thousand a list actors or jaw dropping special effects. Nevertheless at the risk of sounding patronising this is a very good little movie with excellent performances from the three main characters and some great cinematography. There are some irritating bits which are not uncommon for modern horror. Why eat or drink anything given to you from a person whose culinary skills have already made you sick twice? Which is not dissimilar to why wander into the forest if you know there are werewolves in there (sorry that's another film). Still its enjoyable enough in a slow burn tension building sort of way. And there is quite a nice twist/reveal at the end that even makes some sense of events. So if you like slow burn, independent, well shot movies I would definitely give it a go if you're not such a patient person maybe not.
15 Reviews
Despair indeed.
onlythusfar3 January 2019
This film started out interestingly enough, with a family in a cabin in an isolated area beset by a winter storm. In the beginning, there is a couple and a bright little girl. The girl's mother comes to pick her up, leaving the couple on their own. They seem like a very loving couple. Shortly after the girl leaves, the couple come across a woman outside their home, half- frozen in the snow. They bring her in and revive her, but with their car on the blink and also their phone. they cannot summon medical aid for her. With no means of transportation, they must keep her as their guest, until better weather arrives. The interloper, begins displaying unusual behaviour, which over time becomes more and more concerning. The movie is well-acted, and shot, slow ,but with enough tension to hold one's attention. The music is very well done. In the end, it turns into a depressing nightmare, which I found difficult to bear.
Despair: Abysmal
Platypuschow21 March 2019
The first thing I noticed about this British thriller was the IMDB rating, at time of writing we're talking 8.2. For those not in the know that's incredibly high and if it had more ratings it would be in the IMDB top 250!
A quick check confirmed that over 75% of the votes were 10/10, therefore the movie is shilled all the way to Antarctica and back!
Putting that aside is it any good? Well, that's a big no.
A British film but oddly with two non-British leads it tells the story of a couple spending time in their second home in the middle of the country. One day they find a woman freezing outside and bring her in only to gradually discover that she isn't what she claims to be.
An odd little film it's certainly a slow burner. Trouble with slow burners is that they a) Need to be engaging throughout and b) Need to build to something. Despair doesn't do either of these things and makes a for a lifeless dire effort that culminates in nothing but disappointment.
The cast do the best with what they've been given but in the end this is an incredibly dull film.
The Good:
Jagoda Kamov
The Bad:
Some poor writing
Lifeless
A quick check confirmed that over 75% of the votes were 10/10, therefore the movie is shilled all the way to Antarctica and back!
Putting that aside is it any good? Well, that's a big no.
A British film but oddly with two non-British leads it tells the story of a couple spending time in their second home in the middle of the country. One day they find a woman freezing outside and bring her in only to gradually discover that she isn't what she claims to be.
An odd little film it's certainly a slow burner. Trouble with slow burners is that they a) Need to be engaging throughout and b) Need to build to something. Despair doesn't do either of these things and makes a for a lifeless dire effort that culminates in nothing but disappointment.
The cast do the best with what they've been given but in the end this is an incredibly dull film.
The Good:
Jagoda Kamov
The Bad:
Some poor writing
Lifeless
Really awful
zebediahrain21 March 2019
Despair is a UK made film that bored me to near tears. I could have cried from the boredom and I could have cried from wasting a couple of hours of my life on this atrocity. It's stupidly predictable and honestly very little even happens. What bothers me further is that 10/10 ratings make up 77.4% of this films ratings and that screams shilling. I get that you want to make your film credible but ironically doing something like that has the opposite effect. Boring movie that had me yawning within the first 10 minutes. Avoid like an angry flaming rabid raccoon.
Dreadful
Ewanjessamine4 January 2018
Watched on Amazon Prime. Despair is a slow burn psychological thriller, emphasis on slow. The film moves at a snail's pace, which wouldn't be a problem if it was an interesting film, but it isn't.
Dispair follows a couple in their holiday home in the Highlands during the winter. One day the couple find a woman nearly frozen to death, but all is not as it seems as the woman seems to have sinister motives.
Story wise it's decent but the execution is fairly bad. On a technical level the film doesn't perform well. Sound is muddy and fairly poor in parts. Cinematography isn't great, interior shots are noisy and ugly to look at but exterior shots look quite nice.
Acting is poor, performances feel amateur and wooden. Editing is also bad and the soundtrack is uninteresting.
Could have been decent but sadly isn't.
Dispair follows a couple in their holiday home in the Highlands during the winter. One day the couple find a woman nearly frozen to death, but all is not as it seems as the woman seems to have sinister motives.
Story wise it's decent but the execution is fairly bad. On a technical level the film doesn't perform well. Sound is muddy and fairly poor in parts. Cinematography isn't great, interior shots are noisy and ugly to look at but exterior shots look quite nice.
Acting is poor, performances feel amateur and wooden. Editing is also bad and the soundtrack is uninteresting.
Could have been decent but sadly isn't.
A few surprises!
giothefilmcomposer9 November 2017
In all honesty, this film moves very slowly. There is talent in the writing and cinematography, but the acting is very bad with the exception of Margaret who plays the old lady. I think a lot more could have come from this film with much better actors.
What I absolutely loved was the soundtrack! I was surprised to find out that this movie was written by a contemporary composer named Antonio Grandanti. Dark and evil orchestrated beautifully with moments of sadness and beauty. Minimalist instrumentation, brilliant harmonies.
The music was the main reason why I kept watching through to the end of the film. I looked online hoping to find the soundtrack to purchase but no luck. :(
Genius. Bravo, Antonio. I hope to hear more music from you!
Gio
What I absolutely loved was the soundtrack! I was surprised to find out that this movie was written by a contemporary composer named Antonio Grandanti. Dark and evil orchestrated beautifully with moments of sadness and beauty. Minimalist instrumentation, brilliant harmonies.
The music was the main reason why I kept watching through to the end of the film. I looked online hoping to find the soundtrack to purchase but no luck. :(
Genius. Bravo, Antonio. I hope to hear more music from you!
Gio
Bad !
idris-5316931 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I thought I'd give it a go as it was set in Scotland and looked promising
WRONG ! I have honestly never seen such a badly acted film in my life
Not sure if it was intentionally bad - but it was toe curling awful
The "twist" was obvious - the histrionics of the wife and every sentence she said was painful
I just watched all of it for the comedic aspect - gave it 2 for the scenery and music.
Not sure how this ever got released in prime video - it was just toe curling awful - it tried to be like maybe the shining - with the short sentences and the supposed mounting terror never materialised Very silly stuff.
Not sure how this ever got released in prime video - it was just toe curling awful - it tried to be like maybe the shining - with the short sentences and the supposed mounting terror never materialised Very silly stuff.
Low key Scottish mystery
Leofwine_draca8 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
DESPAIR is a very low key indie drama made in Scotland. It's no surprise that the script was written in three days because there really isn't anything going on of note here. The film features a married couple who take a mysterious woman into their home and that's about it. There are few answers here aside from at the climax, just endless tedium as the characters talk, and talk, and talk. It's a very predictable and humdrum kind of story, and the nadir is one scene where the characters sit down at a table and don't move for half an hour. There's literally nothing here that hasn't been done before.
Got surprised
samuelmiller-8412121 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this 10 stars. I really like the movies like this, and like others said already it reminds me too of a Misery. Both films are great. Misery is much bigger film, while Despair looks like in independent film to me, it's great but still something is missing. I like the acting and story. And the actress who plays Margaret is outstanding. It seemed a little too dark at some places, maybe it's my TV. Overall it's a good watch. Would recommend if you like old school movies. Me and my wife enjoyed this.
Stilted dialogue, Lousy acting, Irritating soundtrack.
TheDome8113 August 2022
What's not to dislike?! This was one of those rare movies I stopped halfway through. Just a slow, plodding film that I'm sure will have some shocking ending, but I wasn't about to torture myself getting there. Despair is the perfect word to describe this "arty" film. No thanks!
Deary Me
hgmclean-2325028 January 2024
Fell into the trap of assuming this may be a hidden gem because it was on a major streaking service, Amazon Prime, but wow was I mistaken.
I live in Scotland so was drawn to the location of the film. Don't be fooled by this, of the 3 main characters, none are Scottish.
The film starts with some pretty poor acting and needless introductions to pointless characters. The location and drone shots are good, but anything on the interior is borderlone excruciating to watch. The editing is poor with some almost seizure inducing cuts that serve no purpose to the narrative; if anything it only serves to tell the viewer that the interactions you are watching have been filmed in multiple takes, which must have been torture for the cast.
As many of the reviews state, this is a slow burner, but a slow burner for a dud firework. The story goes on with no real depth, the characters are boring and frustrating to watch, and the twist is so futile that it doesn't justify any of the previous 60 or 70 minutes of your wasted time.
I don't like to slate movies, but I don't recommend watching this unfortunately.
I live in Scotland so was drawn to the location of the film. Don't be fooled by this, of the 3 main characters, none are Scottish.
The film starts with some pretty poor acting and needless introductions to pointless characters. The location and drone shots are good, but anything on the interior is borderlone excruciating to watch. The editing is poor with some almost seizure inducing cuts that serve no purpose to the narrative; if anything it only serves to tell the viewer that the interactions you are watching have been filmed in multiple takes, which must have been torture for the cast.
As many of the reviews state, this is a slow burner, but a slow burner for a dud firework. The story goes on with no real depth, the characters are boring and frustrating to watch, and the twist is so futile that it doesn't justify any of the previous 60 or 70 minutes of your wasted time.
I don't like to slate movies, but I don't recommend watching this unfortunately.
A waste of time
stefaniainzaina2 December 2022
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster .
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster.
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster .
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster .
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster.
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster .
Awful. Bad acting. Boring. Slow.
It's really a waste of time.
Who's the producer who accept to pay for this horrible movie it's a mistery.
A total disaster.
Here's how
ratosthns11 October 2021
I stopped watching this after the first few lines of dialogue.
"Looks like you've been having a good time". ??? It is not visible from her appearance, or surroundings.
"You know I don't like surprises"
Who could write such poor script?
Probably been written by some who hasn't been around kids, or doesn't have a family.
....Let's try this script writers...a little more realistic.
"Hello darling...."
"Hi Dad"
"Mummy O. K?"
"Yup, shall I bring anything?" before closing boot and entering abode.
"Looks like you've been having a good time". ??? It is not visible from her appearance, or surroundings.
"You know I don't like surprises"
Who could write such poor script?
Probably been written by some who hasn't been around kids, or doesn't have a family.
....Let's try this script writers...a little more realistic.
"Hello darling...."
"Hi Dad"
"Mummy O. K?"
"Yup, shall I bring anything?" before closing boot and entering abode.
Good film!
vadimtrofymenko21 June 2017
Especially created account to review this. I live in Ukraine and don't watch film in English often. But because Hank is originally was born in Ukraine I though I'd watch it. And I like it. Now everybody is making commercial films, and I like this because it's simple and good. Reminds me of classic storytelling from artists like Tarkovsky. You have to watch it and understand. People who say it's boring must be watching too much of modern films. Cinema is not just about super heroes! Well done, Hank!
Good independent film
thejobpicture21 June 2017
I enjoyed this film. It's a good example of independent filmmaking. I'm a filmmaker myself and I know how hard it's to make a movie that looks this good. The story is good, people say it's boring but I disagree. Maybe those people watched Avengers too much. It's not action film! Directing is great and actors did a great job too. The cinematography is beautiful. Nice watch.
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