‘Barbarian’: Disney + previews the terrifying surprise of the year

Once in a while, proposals arrive that surprise by offering something unexpected. That’s what “Barbaro” is.the first solo film by American actor Zach Cregger, which has become not only one of the most successful horror films of this 2022, but also one of the most applauded, knowing combine the elements of the genre and, therefore, create a story that leaves a constant feeling of not knowing what will happen and who, moreover, knows how to bring the usual clichés of terror into his field.

The tape begins with a young woman arriving at a house she rented through Airbnb. The woman has traveled to Detroit for a job interview and sees how nearly all the buildings around her quarters offer a tremendously inhospitable image of the neighborhood. With a scenario favorable to something happening, everything seems to point to it when the protagonist sees that there is another boy who is in the same room. Of course, the woman is cautious in entering, since the atmosphere of the film is well responsible for creating an atmosphere of distrust in a situation that has different readings. However, the protagonist enters.

Cregger played the predicted elements of the horror stories, with a staging that appears to be predictable., to this is added that the boy who receives the protagonist – played by Georgina Campbell – is none other than Bill Skarsgård, already converted into an icon of terror – whose image of Pennywise does not come to mind when yes Watch it? However, the director upsets with a series of twists that are what make the audience waitespecially since the fear initially begins tremendously organically and in very real situations.

A pleasant surprise and ideal to be enjoyed on Halloween

And this is where we see the ingenuity of this twisted puzzle, even in narrative matters, as the film becomes a history film with the house as its central axis – similar to Takashi Shimizu’s “The Curse”. But once again it is a simple illusion that Cregger uses to create context and prepare the audience for the final act. And this is where the director and screenwriter is right, his innovation is to select the most conventional situations, characters and stories of terror to weave a magnificent story that brings the best of each element.

Add to this the magnificent interpretation of Georgina Campbell, which beautifully represents the contradictions of today’s 30-something millennials. Added to this is also an accurate representation of some male codes that show why, when faced with an unexpected and uncomfortable situation, they react very differently to them. And Cregger, in this sense, plays a nice game of mirrors between the characters embodied by Skarsgård and Justin Long.two completely opposite points of view that not only give the film a greater reading, but also a depth that invites a later conversation.

Terror has long been establishing itself as an ever-innovating genre, ‘Barbarian’ is another example. One of those surprises that one appreciates that it is born, to which is added a wonderful control of time, being a story that keeps the audience in constant wait, thanks to the continuous feeling that something could happen. A quality entertainment and ideal to enjoy this Halloween.

Note: 8

The best: The constant feeling that something could happen at any moment. His opening scene and the number of readings he has.

Worse: It innovates in terms of using known elements of the genre, but does not bring anything different. Despite being a box office success and hitting theaters in various markets (including its US-born), it was unjustly condemned to streaming in Spain. It was the perfect opening for Halloween.