Better Watch Out

Without giving spoilers: don't babysit teenagers!

this movie is different from what the trailer makes it seem, I didn't see the plot twist coming. the main kid does a great job. disturbing yet fun, if you like Christmas themed horror.

When i started to watch this, i thought this was just gonna be your run of the mill home intrusion slasher. but this really surprised me. with an unexpected twist and cleverly written. the actors were great and this movie really kept me interested. definately worth a watch

...and you won't be disappointed. If you're looking for too much realism or an airtight plot, you look in vain. Despite characters that are mostly paper thin, the actors rise above with enough authority to satisfy all but the most jaded audiences. As well, the production design, cinematography, and so forth stretch its relatively low budget to maximum effect. No, this isn't on a level with Michael Haneke's unsettling "Funny Games" or its American remake; think of it more as a John Hughesian teen comedy that takes a dark turn into violent absurdity. It truly is a comic book potboiler in the vein of "Tales From the Crypt," crude tongue wedged in its cheek, nonsensical plot devices on full display. I understand fully why so many wags here hated it, but despite its flaws, I had fun with its earnest attempt to offer up its twisted take on teen angst. The three Aussie leads will all be actors to keep an eye on in the future, that much is certain.

Better Watch Out (2016)

*** (out of 4)

Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) is about to leave town but before doing that she agrees to babysit Luke (Levi Miller), which is something she has done for many years. After his parents leave the two sit down for pizza and horror movies but then someone breaks into the house and the terror begins.

BETTER WATCH OUT is Christmas themed horror film that is getting quite a bit of attention. The film has some calling it a great film while others are calling it one of the worst films of the year. It's funny that the film is getting such a wide responce but I think both sides could agree that the film made their blood boil. I say that because there's a twist that happens in the story and it goes in a direction that was quite brave and I'm sure even Hitchcock would have tipped his hat.

The problem with this twist is that if you're going to try something like it you had better know what to do with it and how to handle it. Director Chris Peckover also co-wrote the screenplay with Zack Kahn and I give both men credit for trying to do something different. Sure, the film's first quarter borrows from some other horror movies but I must give them credit for keeping me off guard as I was never quite sure where the film was going to go or how it was going to play out.

I don't think the second half of the film is nearly as good as the beginning but at the same time it kept me glued to what was going on. I've got to avoid spoilers but I will say that my blood was boiling at one of the characters and how things were being played out and perhaps this is why so many people are hating the film. It is a bit mean-spirited and it is a cruel. I think a lot of people are hating the film because of the emotions that it is making them feel and I completely understand that. Even I got angry at the movie but when it was over I couldn't help but feel that a good movie should make you feel these things.

I really thought DeJonge was exceptionally good in the lead role. Her character goes through a lot of different things throughout the picture and the actress nailed all of them flawlessly. Miller and Ed Oxenbould were both extremely good as well and you've also got Virginia Madsen in a small role as the mom. Technically speaking the film is quite impressive and there was some nice tension built up during the opening scenes.

BETTER WATCH OUT is a film that I'm going to recommend because I think it succeeds at what it attempted to do. It's not flawless by any stretch of the imagination but I give it a lot of credit for trying to do something different.

The film begins as any other generic home invasion thriller, and truth be told, I was not getting the vibe at first. I was disappointed and quite annoyed with the series of events that felt so typical and devoid of any excitement. But then, around minute 30th, comes a twist, and the scenario changed, and I was hooked right then and there.

Although I cannot say much cause even a small word could spoil the story and subsequently ruin your fun, I will tell you this, the story or the trajectory it took to be precise, caught me off guard; I did not expect it.

Now, the movie does have several logical fallacies, or loopholes, in layman's terms, but it was still thrilling to watch, and as I said, I didn't see any of it coming, which certainly added to my overall enjoyment.