Spirit of Fear

OK this one was right up my alley. Man wakes up in an empty house covered in blood with no explanation, no memory, and no escape. Clues have been left around the house on sticky notes, but none of them seem to add up. Ultimately we get both an escape room type of scenario, with a lurking evil presence to add to the tension, and a deep dive into one man's psyche. It's a classic Twilight Zone setup and I was totally engaged the entire runtime despite the minimalist approach to locations, cast, sound design, and dialogue.

Fantastic cinematography and score are the glue that holds this film together. The ending totally sticks the landing for me. I wish there were more of these types of well thought out indie movies in the horror/suspense genre.

The worst movie you will literally waste your time watching. Self indulgent crap. There is no story. There are no characters. Nothing happens. There is no horror, it's not interesting. It's a waste of time. The worst movie you will literally waste your time watching. Self indulgent crap. There is no story. There are no characters. Nothing happens. There is no horror, it's not interesting. It's a waste of time. The worst movie you will literally waste your time watching. Self indulgent crap. There is no story. There are no characters. Nothing happens. There is no horror, it's not interesting. It's a waste of time.

A very well done film, constantly having you ask "what is next?" Leaving you in the dark but with enough information that you feel like you understand where it's going.

I thought it was great, my wife and I are huge film nerds and specifically love horror. Some of our favorites are the Conjuring and Insidious series, IT, Sinister etc. Spirit Of Fear is close to those films but their budget was definitely a factor that kept it from breaking into the 9/10 and 10/10 area.

Some people seem to not be satisfied but I don't understand them to be honest. Go in with no expectations and just enjoy it. Sure, it isn't the greatest film or horror film we've ever seen but in no way did it disappoint.

Enough of my rambling... 8/10.

As Mr Merenghi him self would say, it's more of a slight chill. If you like horror movies that are more on the creepy atmospheric side rather, you will probably enjoy this. To be honest, it's greatest sin is that it's not a computer game. I spent a lot of time thinking I would have enjoyed playing this.

The acting is good, for someone who must try his best to look confused and terrified for over an hour straight, and the plot twist is fairly predictable, but still a lot of fun.

In short, we gain a fun, atmospheric movie that entertains, and lose what would be the next critically acclaimed, forever cult horror game of a generation. I mourn our loss.

Still fun though.

This film is slow moving, yet atmospheric.

Extremely minimalist.

Being almost completely void of dialogue.

Mysterious.

Though, not in a particularly engaging way.

Somewhat psychological.

A bit supernatural.

And even a touch satanic.

But, mostly, it's just a guy wandering his house with a knife, trying to solve a mystery.

Amidst vague warnings, he may or may not have left himself on post-it notes.

What's clear...is that he had a wife and daughter...who aren't present...after waking up with an arm covered in blood.

Seemingly, without any memory as to how or why he ended up in such a state.

Either way...it starts to seem like he has become trapped in a hellish purgatory, of his own making...or something like that, at least.

One from which he must escape, perhaps, in order to be redeemed.

If it is not just a punishment, for his wrongdoings, that is.

Did he murder his family? Kill his daughter? Or lose them to a situation of domestic abuse?

Might he be stuck in a coma?

You are purposely left in the dark, and, thus, can only speculate.

As you wait for some sort of explanation- and payoff- in the end.

Luckily, it's rather a short film.

Clocking in at barely over 70 minutes.

So you don't need to invest an inordinate amount of time, in order to indulge, in it.

That being said...the mystery already starts to feel a bit redundant by the 40 minute mark.

As he is forced to reflect on a series of incidents from his past.

Prior to the twist kicking in, to offer some semblance of an explanation.

One which I could very well see many people thinking is a bit too predictable.

That being said...it's not necessarily a bad film, overall.

Just a simple one.

That could be seen as entertaining, if you aren't expecting anything too groundbreaking.

But it could, fairly, be considered to be just boring, at the same time.

Hence the divergent views, from reviewer to reviewer.

It does seem to have a bit of a religious tone to it, as well.

Which could also be a point of contention.

Though, it didn't bother me.

Because it isn't particularly preachy (like, say, Nefarious is).

But it's certainly nothing special.

2.5 out of 10.