Leave

Leave (2022) is a Norwegian movie that was released to the US (and added to Shudder) today and tells the tale of an orphaned young lady who tracks her real family back to Norway. She finds her family home, her mothers things including her journal and hears the story of how she became an orphan. As she gets to know her family better she uncovers why her mom was the way she was and why her life may be at risk.

This movie was directed by Alex Herron in his directorial debut and stars Alicia von Rittberg (Fury), Herman Tømmeraas (Ragnarok), Ellen Dorrit Petersen (Blind), Morten Holst (A Royal Affair) and Christine Donlon (Escape Room).

The storyline is fairly cliche, straightforward and unimaginative. There were elements that had potential, but the horror elements relied on human attacks and interactions and just felt like sick people in life more than "horror." The main character was also frustrating at times where when the family gets weird it's time to be out, but of course she wants to stay. I didn't feel the backstory of the mother was as intense or creepy as intended either.

Overall, this is a disappointing addition to the horror genre that's not really worth your time. I would score this a 3.5/10 and recommend skipping it.

Hunter seeks to understand her heritage after she was left orphaned in a cemetery. She flies to Norway thinking she knows who her mother is. What unfolds is a light version of "The Girl with a..." series, just less intense and less polished. Hunter ignores all the obvious signs of danger as she's hell bent on finding answers to her questions about being orphaned. The resolution has only minor supernatural elements, and we are left with only the horrors of humanity (including attempted rape). The acting is decent, production good, and the over quality of the film is fine. But, it lacks much in terms of genuine suspense or horrific elements. Worth a watch if a calm film with moments of something like intensity is to your liking.

The acting and some of the visuals were nice, but that didn't save this movie. The story is one of the silliest i have seen in years. And there wasn't any tension at all.

Having watched the trailer, i allready expected this to be a bit boring.

But since i like (extreme) metal i gave it a go anyway for the possible fun black metal bits. But there was nothing.

Not even one black metal song playing somewhere in the blackground.. It would have made the movie just a bit better.

Why Gaahl (a black metal musician) made a cameo appearance in this mess will allways be a question, until someone asks him that is.

Better Leave this movie alone.

I wasn't sure what I was in for here, as I sat down in 2023 to watch the 2022 horror movie "Leave". All I knew about it was the fact that it was a horror movie that I hadn't already seen, nor actually ever heard about. And that was, of course, sufficient to make me sit down and give the movie a chance.

Writer Thomas Moldestad was on the right track with the script for "Leave". However, it just felt like it was missing an ingredient or two. I found the movie to be watchable, but it was by no means an outstanding or memorable horror experience. And as the movie came to an end after 106 minutes, I have to admit that I was left with an overwhelming sensation of 'was that really it?'.

The acting performances in the "Leave" were good, and I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie. I do believe that you actually see a very short cameo appearance in the bar scene at the first act of the movie from none other than Gaahl himself.

Visually then "Leave" was adequate. I mean, I wasn't blown away or overly impressed with the effects. But they were fair enough for a movie such as this.

If you enjoy horror movies, give "Leave" a chance. You might actually enjoy a slow burning horror story as director Alex Herron delivered, despite the fact that it wasn't all that entertaining for my liking.

My rating of "Leave" lands on a very generous four out of ten stars.

On a positive note, this was a well made film. It looked great, great shots, good sound... all that jazz. Unfortunately I would have to say that is about all I can say as far as positives go.

I would call this a slow burn, but it didn't even get to a burn... it never even ignited. It was belaboringly slow and nothing of interest or intrigue happened until the very end, I'm talking like the last 1/5th, and even that was meh.

I also think part of the problem was the main actress. She wasn't bad or distracting, she was just incredibly bland. She gave me almost nothing as far as character goes leaving me aloof towards this unrelatable person, walking away feeling like I just watched an entitled wet rag or piece of cardboard.

I don't want to sound like a hater, this isn't a BAD film... it is just incredibly underwhelming lol I hate saying this but for ME it was a bit of a waste of time, probably would not recommend.