A young couple goes to the countryside to research a fungus that infects cereals and which can cause gangrene, convulsions and insanity (based on the real-life ergot fungus). While out camping, a man identifying himself as the property owner shows up and asks them to leave. They do, but find that their car won't start, so they are forced to walk. Eventually, they come upon a house occupied by a sweet and hospitable but loopy old lady who invites them in. As the story progresses from there, the couple finds itself in an increasingly dangerous situation.
This is a slow-burn horror film that makes use of a Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre-type story, but tells it in a different way. Instead of body horror, we get slow-burn creeps and food-related repulsion, and instead of having victims killed in all kinds of outlandish and gory death scenes, we have the arguably even greater horror of humans being eaten piecemeal while still alive.
Most of the critical reviews have cited the slow pace and derivative story as reasons for their assessment, but I would argue that even a familiar story told in an unfamiliar way is a creative innovation. And while the slow burn may turn off at least some horror fans, it is actually quite atmospheric and well-constructed, and will therefore appeal to fans of that type of movie.
There are interesting directorial and cinematographic choices, overall this is well-shot and Barbara Kingsley, who plays the old lady, is a scene-stealer.
Again, this is not for every horror fan, but those who like a paced and atmospheric unfolding of a mystery with effective use of repulsive imagery will probably like it.
This is a slow-burn horror film that makes use of a Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre-type story, but tells it in a different way. Instead of body horror, we get slow-burn creeps and food-related repulsion, and instead of having victims killed in all kinds of outlandish and gory death scenes, we have the arguably even greater horror of humans being eaten piecemeal while still alive.
Most of the critical reviews have cited the slow pace and derivative story as reasons for their assessment, but I would argue that even a familiar story told in an unfamiliar way is a creative innovation. And while the slow burn may turn off at least some horror fans, it is actually quite atmospheric and well-constructed, and will therefore appeal to fans of that type of movie.
There are interesting directorial and cinematographic choices, overall this is well-shot and Barbara Kingsley, who plays the old lady, is a scene-stealer.
Again, this is not for every horror fan, but those who like a paced and atmospheric unfolding of a mystery with effective use of repulsive imagery will probably like it.