Blood Curse (2006) User Reviews

Disappointment....

[Misteriomag32 · 5/10 · 11 November 2007]

This movie had so much potential... I really don't know what to say, because on the first minutes I was so captivated, I thought that this was it!: Portuguese cinema took a giant leap, and who could have guessed, on the suspense/horror/supernatural genre! The photography was top notch I'd say, and the sound, the acting... all these technical elements brought to life a simply Portuguese rural town with a creepy, eerie atmosphere. Still, it seems that the people behind this project didn't go beyond that! The story seems interesting enough in the first minutes, but then it just keeps dragging on! No real scary scenes at all! And the ending? It was predictable (sorry, it was! Everything pointed out to that one character I won't mention here), and it just didn't justify the time wasted on the movie.

Overall: technically good, but too dull and dead to even recommend someone to see it. I'm really sad, because I'm still waiting for the big jump of the Portuguese cinema... and this one was not it.

Next time, try to focus more on the story.

A promising debut for this two directors, and a new breath for Portuguese movies...

[hugocamartins · 7/10 · 17 March 2006]

Coisa Ruim is, indeed, a movie that makes us believe that the Portuguese film industry is finally reaching for the audience, without compromising the quality of their productions.

I think enough was said here about this movie's main theme and plot, so I'll just emphasize (in my opinion) its main positive/negative aspects:

+ acting was well above average + beautiful photography and careful set selection + simple interesting plot understandable by all (not like most Portuguese movies)

• over-articulated dialogs, sometimes people seem to talk like if they all add degrees - too much usage of focus/defocus effects (it becomes a bit boring...) - over-saturation of the image, sometimes you can tell it was really sunny when the scene was shot, but in order to maintain the dark tone in the movie you get over-saturated colors and too much contrast

All in all, a good movie. A promising debut for this two directors, and a new breath for Portuguese movies.

It's a nice supernatural film

[mario_c · 7/10 · 31 January 2009]

COISA RUIM is a supernatural film about a family which lives in the city and moves to a house (a heritance) in a little village in the rural Portugal. It crosses many topics, from the paranormal and the superstitious believes to the philosophical discussion about religion vs science. It's about ghosts, faith, superstition, rural traditions and religion, but it is most of all an interesting film that focus all these topics in a good and entertaining story. I don't consider this movie fits in the horror or suspenseful genre (even because it's too slow paced for that) but I think it's a good supernatural and mysterious story that could fit in the "haunted house" genre. The production is good and the cinematography either (one more time the director Tiago Guedes did a nice job; I already did enjoy his other movie ALTA FIDELIDADE), but the acting could have been better and the musical score too. In fact I think a movie with this thematic should have had a different and more suspenseful soundtrack.

Surprise! One of the best "mystery" films ever is... Portuguese!

[catia_bubbles · 9/10 · 12 March 2006]

This movie is one of the best movies in the "horror/mystery" category I've ever seen... In a small village, lost in the middle of Portugal, some myths and beliefs still subsists, although the progress registered in towns. People still think that the Devil is guilty for a lot of things and still believe that some of the dead haven't really left us. It is in this environment of fear and suspicious, that a Lisbon family arrives. A biology professor, with his wife, his three kids and his grandson (his daughter is a single mother), with very intellectual ideas and scientific thoughts that are no prepared at all to what they are going to face. That's when strange things begin to happen... I really enjoyed this movie! It has good performances, a very good cinematography and sound, and a very well written script. It grows up until it reaches a climax and does not fall into a gore movie or a stupid explanation. It has good characters, a good story and a good directing. And yes, it gives some chills...

We've Seen it All Before

[Billy_Crash · 3/10 · 31 January 2012]

A man brings his wife and kids to their ancestral home in a superstitious village…

As soon as the movie began, it was clear writer Rodrigo Guedes de Carvalho was going to exploit all the trappings of his culture. Roman Catholicism, possession, exorcism, village mentality versus city dweller mode of thinking, spiritualism, ghosts, family and superstition versus reality all come into play. The only problem is that we've seen these stories unfold in horrors repeatedly from a slew of other Western, as well as Asian, nations.

He does one thing, however, that is wonderful. The stereotypical villages that tell the city folk they don't belong – or hate them outright – isn't necessarily prevalent. Thankfully, with that hackneyed element not in the picture, I was able to indulge.

The acting was fairly strong, especially by Adriano Luz and Sara Carinhas, though Manuela Couto succumbed to be being far too melodramatic. The story maintained a solid pace with exceptional cinematography by Victor Estevão, capturing the atmosphere of the Monteiro homestead as beautifully as he did the lush countryside. Sadly, suspense and scares were sorely lacking and the end came as no shock.

Tag team directors Tiago Guedes and Frederico Serra have definite talent, and I hope they pick a stronger tale for their next outing.

Subtle truly beguiling supernatural story, for those who don't mind slow paced buildup's to their films.

[theNomadz · 9/10 · 7 June 2007]

Plot is about biology professor Xavier Oliveira Monteiro (played by Adriano Luz think a Portuguese Kevin Spacey) who takes his family back to the village and home his ancestors are from. Only its not the lovely picturesque area it seems on the surface, there's a lot of old folk tales the locals are only more than happy to share with the Monteiro family. To prove himself right and the locals wrong Xavier and wife Helena agree to take part in a séance that ends in terror when a part of his childhood is brought up no one alive could possibly have known. This all happens at a point the oldest son returns home from studying, who as some kind of incestious hold on his sister who's got a baby child of her own to an unknown father. The films true beauty is that it lets the viewer fill in the gaps themself something which may be off putting to people who can't accept ambiguity in what they view.

First horror/supernatural/psychological/spiritual (call it what you want hehe even its genre is ambiguous) film I've seen in ages I've been totally captivated in. Everything works well, the music mostly light almost indie guitar based rolls along perfectly with the beautiful yet washed out look of the locations, just the way it blends with the fog rolling along a field or dust blowing during one of the period funerals.

A much deserved 9/10 from me, if I had to give a flaw it would be it was a little slow to get going but so hope Frederico Serra & Tiago Guedes choose to do more creepy films and not switch genres. Also if Portuguese cinema is this good, please distributors start subbing and releasing it so the rest of the world can see it.

Rotten to the core

[opn-1 · 3/10 · 19 October 2006]

Patriotism is a beautiful thing. But misguided patriotism led to Hitler. And the Portuguese folks that have written here either suffer from an exacerbated love for all things Portuguese, or they are friends of the director: because this film is rotten. Even considering Portuguese films low standards, it is rotten. And not due to the usual lack of means: the photography and sound are first rate, the actors are respected professionals and no effort has been spared on locations and costumes; even the direction is technically proficient (if in a mannerist way). But the end to all these means was a work that set itself the target of copying and pasting scenes, ideas, ambiances and whole phrases of other films ("the Shining", "the Others", "the Village", and even "the Usual Suspects" key phrase about the "devil's best trick"). In one hundred minutes there isn't one new idea: only pastiche. And, if, once in a while, great movies come out of this, here the pilfering serves no purpose. There is no point to the film, no reason for it to have been made, and no reason for it to be seen. If the movie tried to tell the story, it failed: there is no story, just a sum of anecdotal and disconnected events than serve as pretexts to insert the copied scenes; the dialogs abound, and pedantically drag on and on; the characters are stereotypes than change their demeanor for no apparent reason, disappearing inexplicably from scene only to reappear latter, at the plot's convenience, like in a high-school play (in-between dialogues, none of them actually seem to have anything to do). If the movie strives to create and ambiance, it fails: besides the landscapes none of the rural scenes bears any semblance to reality: the village has two streets and two priest, no cars and no TV's; yet all villagers speak with high-street Lisbon accents, and servants and masters, priest and their flock, priest among themselves: all speak with a familiarity completely unbecoming to what rural traditions demand; the screenwriter just mistook a weekend outing in his uncle's farm with serious Stephen King type research. If the film tried to cause scares, it failed completely: every scene too rehashed and every character too unconvincing to care about. The only source of anxiety was realising how low Portuguese film has stooped so that this utterly mediocre crap passes for progress. In Portuguese, "Coisa Ruim" means "Foul Thing". That, believe me, it is.

How to make a masterpiece with a low budget...

[rui-amiguinho · 9/10 · 6 January 2008]

A biology professor, his wife, their three kids and their grandson reaches a small village, totally lost in time in the middle of Portugal, with a few old inhabitants, like there are so many in Portugal. The village people take their myths, ancient legends and folklore very serious, but the couple are skeptical (especially the husband), highly intellectual and with very scientific thoughts and ideas, and they are no prepared at all to what they are going to face. That's when strange things begin to happen... It is an horror/mystery/suspense/spiritual movie, but the horror is only psychological, and all the fear that you can feel during the movie comes from your perception and understanding of the story, and not from what you are eyes are watching. There is Death, and there is Rape, but you don't see those images, you just know it happened, and the story goes on, in a crescendo throughout the movie, until it reaches the final climax. This suits perfectly... if there were some physical violence or gore, the movie would loose its personality. The story follow its line from the beginning until the end. growing up in fear... Really, I don't remember ever seeing something like this! The stories are all based on the Portuguese myths and folklore, not on some external influences. There are beautiful landscapes, an old Portuguese village which suits as a perfect background for an horror movie, very well written script, good performances of the characters, good directing, perfect soundtrack. And there is a strong feeling throughout all the movie... this is really a masterpiece, made with the usual financial difficulties of the Portuguese cinema. But this one came out to see the light of the day, and it is the best ever made in Portugal, and one of the best I've ever seen in the genre in all cinema history. If you are just into "American Horror Blockbusters", full of special effects, screams, blood and gore, and physical violence, this is probably not your movie.

Great movie that dies a more horrible death

[LovinMoviesMakinGames · 5/10 · 1 November 2013]

I'm giving this a 5 because most of the movie was excellent. The acting, story, all of it were great. Then it seemed like the film crew ran out of money (if they were filming chronologically) and we get the most asinine slapped together ending. I think the movie tries to jump on too many themes, starting up too many side plots. We have a young mother who's child's father is ??? We have someone who can see who will die, but it only partially plays out. I'll spare you the spoilers and just say, too much ambition left them drowning at the end. OR... they made it up as they went along and couldn't agree on an end. Before investing the time into this one, watch the last 10 minutes. You won't ruin anything, and will probably lose interest in watching what led up to the end.

Pretty eerie Portugal mystery horror.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 26 December 2007]

A well respected academic inherits a beautiful country home.He packs his wife,children and grandson and moves to the country area.One must say that the country has many hidden and disturbing secrets:it's a place where superstition runs rampant and the local priest still performs exorcisms."Coisa Ruim" is a big horror surprise from Portugal.This atmospheric chiller offers well-written and carefully nuanced script and strong performances from all involved.The tension rises very slowly creeping under your skin and there are some truly creepy moments.It's beautifully shot in a magnificently decaying old country home.Give this lovely and intelligent film a look.9 out of 10.

boring bad music etc. drama

[kakoilija · 3/10 · 12 February 2008]

this movie was more drama than horror or mystery.

no good music.

bunch of wimps trying to make a commercial horror movie...

very modest, and nothing really scary happened...

i don't know... i like my movies more painted black.

i gave all my points for good cinematography.

other than that i don't think i would recommend this to serious horror fans... this is good for people who don't watch any horror.

i had a feeling that i had seen this movie before.

3/10

Coisa Ruim

[srxsession · 10/10 · 7 December 2006]

It is indeed an amazing film! Saying that the film photography is 'perfect' is not enough! The story is very interesting and we can experience a very good acting from all the actors and actresses throughout the film. The fear provoked by the film is based on simple things, which in my opinion is the best, not like extravagant special affects like American or English films. This is a fine example of the power of the Portuguese film industry and very good professionalism! This is another example among many others of good cinema made in Portugal, it deserves to be seen all around the world!

About many other comments about this film...I don't agree with them obviously! Many of them were wrote for Portuguese people with small minds with the ridiculous idea of "what is Portuguese is bad", It is just sad...

Still a great film! Hope you watch it!

Ruben

Good intentions

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 26 April 2007]

This movie has very good intentions and the photography (camera work) that is done here is great. The acting is also very good and both those elements mixed together, they create a very good and spooky mood for the movie.

But the pacing is too slow. Even for a movie that does feed on that fact, that the viewer should be getting time for the whole movie to unfold. But I do think that this sort of idea could've been made as short story/movie and it would have worked even better. Although if you liked the movie Unbreakable by M. Night Shyamalan, you will also enjoy this one! They're similar, not story-wise, but pacing-wise!

Great Portuguese movie ...Suspense!

[oscarroger · 8/10 · 28 August 2010]

A great movie, with suspense all the time. A story or legend typically Portuguese we many believe and others claim to have seen something spooky roaming through their skin when he sees the typical environments of the mountain, dark and full of mysticism!

Something different from the typical American movies, where the bloody wave and almost ridiculous scenes will take you to see the rest of the movie!

In Bad Thing, the simplicity of the actors and the extraordinary representation of some actors little known in Portugal, are the delights of the old suspense, the stories are typical of mountain, gaming spiritualism typical still in Portuguese villages, of which many will laugh and others much respect ... ---- If you want to see a thriller until the end no doubt see BAD THING!

One of the best Portuguese movies, but...

[ricardex · 5/10 · 21 July 2006]

One of the best Portuguese movies...but there aren't many good Portuguese movies anyway! Still, it has a pretty good and clear plot supported by a really interesting photography and an above average acting (for Portuguese standards). Bur, I think the story grows very slowly and there aren't many peak points throughout the 97 minutes of the film. That fact makes it a little bit boring and that is not what I expect from a Horror/Mystery film (or any other genre anyway). The end of the film is rather good. It is clever and unexpected like the end of this type of movies should be.

If you like horror/suspense films, your time will not be wasted. Don't expect it to be a Hitchcock, though!

Too slow and subtle for its own good

[Woodyanders · 5/10 · 10 November 2021]

A well-respected and well-educated urban family inherit an old country house located deep in the Portugal countryside. No big surprise that said house has a dark history behind it.

While the basic premise has potential, alas directors Tiago Guedes and Frederico Serra let the meandering story unfold at a painfully sluggish pace. Moreover, the plot gets bogged down in way too much deadly dull domestic drama, with precious little in the way of any essential tension or creepy atmosphere. The teeming surplus of debates concerning faith, religion, and superstition offer some interesting food for thought, but for the most part only add to the overall sense of numbing ennui. It would have also helped if more stuff was clarified instead of being hinted at. Fortunately, the fine acting from the committed cast and often gorgeous cinematography keep this movie watchable, but this film could and should have been much better.