Georgina Campbell as Tess in 20th Century Studios' BARBARIAN, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Preston Barta // Features Editor
BARBARIAN
Rated R, 102 minutes.
Opens Friday in theaters.
Few horror films surprise you with their simplicity and daring as much as the undermarketed Barbarian. There’s a good chance this one wasn’t even on your radar, but it should be. It’s got the delicious weirdness of last year’s Malignant, the chillingness of The Descent and the innovative story structure of a Tarantino work. It’s smart storytelling, scary and surprisingly very funny. This is the kind of great horror we chase. And yes, while you may occasionally shout at its characters for the decisions they make, Barbarian is a new nightmare to fear.
Directed by Zach Greggor (of The Whitest Kids U’Know fame), the film stars Georgina Campbell (Black Mirror) as an Airbnb renter and Bill Skarsgård (It) as her unexpected house occupant who is either the architect of her impending doom or a victim like her. A Parasite-like basement is revealed, complete with hidden doors and rooms that feel plucked from a Saw or Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. Hopefully, these characters got their running shoes on and plenty of phone batteries to shine a light on what may be lurking in the shadows.
There are turns in this narrative that make it feel more like a classic piece of genre literature, which is why Tarantino’s storytelling springs to mind. Characters are fleshed out compellingly, especially one that shall remain nameless in this review, but if you’ve spotted their two-second appearance in the film’s trailer, you might know who I am referring to. But it’s that surprise that really makes Barbarian more special than it may have you believe. There’s even a point when it makes another turn and changes its aspect ratio and filmmaking style to give it more uniqueness.
Greggor’s a talent to keep an eye on. He knows what the horror genre needs these days to make an impression. The dialogue is consistently engaging, and all the left-of-center activity causes you to lean in and away simultaneously. It’s an impressive work and should be seen with a crowd at once.
Grade: B+
