El Pozo: Rituales Satánicos

It's been so long since I watched a good italian horror and here it is! Cinematography is quite great with its very interesting, beautiful shots. Every single scene is plenty of suspense, discomfort and tension, both in the manor and in the dungeons. Photography is amazing as well, using lights in different effective ways, by changing shades and colors up to the environment involved. Practical effects are absolutely perfect and they look like the ones from the 80's. What a cool choice! The ugly deaths and the characters are all beautifully pictured and the acting is great. Cruelty, gore, evilness and selfishness are served in cold blood with no escape at all!

It's like lemonade. Little substance.

Were it not for the annoying sickening gore, it would be something to leave on in the background and occasionally glance up at.

With the gore you can't even do that.

Not once does it make you feel horrified, terrified, or thrilled in any way, and it doesn't grip you with intrigue, characters, or plot. You feel calm and occasionally disgusted. If the genre was called "disgust" instead of "horror" it would make sense. This way however, it's just not well made. If you want to watch gore go look at a slaughterhouse.

The cinematography is basic, the acting ok, the audio between irritating and incomprehensible. At one point a character repeatedly calls out for "tony". And i could have sworn it was "charlie"

It got 4 stars, because while it is nauseating and pointless, it isn't actively evil and damaging, and the plot is actually somewhat interesting.

To start with, this was not what I expected. After reading the reviews, I thought this is gonna be another poorly made "amazon prime" special - low budget, made with little talent to fill a time slot. I was surprised.

Firstly - I'm a huge movie fan and a massive indie horror supporter. I'm a filmmaker myself and produce folklore horror films based on Scottish Myths. So a folklore story based in rural Italy is right up my street.

For the first 20 minutes I was unsure, then something clicked and I started really enjoying it. Interesting premise, some creepy moments, well shot, surprisingly well acted, good creature / monster design and yes good gore if that's your thing.

I would definitely give this a go.

As an Italian I am really happy for this film, finally an Italian horror shot well and with extraordinary special effects thanks to my friend Carlo Diamantini, national pride, one of the best make-up artists ever and my fellow countryman who invited me to the preview of this film and also introduced me to the director Federico Zampaglione (who confirms that he has a certain talent when it comes to horror) and a couple of cast members, including Lorenzo Renzi who I had already appreciated in the Amazing TV series "Romanzo Criminale".

About The Well, I can say that we are faced with an exquisitely old school product, with monsters and blood and a very suggestive final scene, Zampaglione has great mastery with the camera and knows the old Italian horror classics, especially Argento and Fulci. As an Italian, horror lover and friend of Diamantini I tell everyone to run to the theater and enjoy this little jewel full of gore and violence!!!

Federico Zampaglione's The Well is a chilling exploration of ancient curses and the darkness lurking beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic settings. The Italian filmmaker creates an unnerving atmosphere, layering the film in so much dread, you'll find yourself gripping the armrests in anticipation, even during its pitfalls.

The film follows Lisa Grey, a young art restorer, as she is commissioned to restore a medieval painting in the picturesque Italian village of Sambucci. What begins as a seemingly routine assignment soon unravels into a nightmare. As Lisa delves deeper into the painting's history, she becomes entangled in a web of malevolent forces and terrifying encounters.

Amongst the incredible creature design, one of the film's greatest strengths, lies in its atmospheric storytelling. It's an enchanting, eerie, atmospheric, gothic nightmare that lulls you into a hypnotic state. Zampaglione's direction is astute, creating a palpable sense of dread and unease throughout the film with ease. The haunting score, combined with the film's moody cinematography, immerses the viewer in a world of darkness and decay.

While the film's plot may seem familiar to fans of the horror genre, for the most part, The Well manages to offer a fresh take on the haunted house trope. The film's exploration of ancient curses and the supernatural elements add a layer of complexity that makes it all the more intriguing.

The performances in The Well are generally strong. Lauren LaVera delivers a convincing portrayal of Lisa, a woman caught between the beauty of art and the terrifying secrets it holds. The supporting cast also provides solid performances, adding depth and credibility to the film's characters.

However, The Well is not without its flaws. The pacing can be a little too slow in places, some of the plot developments may feel predictable and slightly underwritten. I personally wanted more lore, and scarier scares. Despite these minor shortcomings, The Well remains a chilling and unsettling cinematic experience. Its masterful direction, strong performances, and exploration of psychological horror make it a standout film in the genre. While it may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it's a well-crafted horror film that deserves to be watched.