Do Not Enter

What irritates me the most is when a movie director doesn't understand the genre they're working with. A found footage movie is supposed to feel authentic.

However, this director has no clue what that means. Why? Because despite being a found footage film, it's filled with loud sound effects and music at all times, which many fans know, these are the cardinal sins of making a found footage movie and it's a deal breaker for many.

I can't help but wonder, when did the people who found this footage have time to re-edit it with music and effects? This alone proves that the director doesn't understand the genre at all. The whole point of found footage is to create the illusion that the footage is raw.

On top of that, the jump scares were so cliché and predictable that they completely drained the film of any real tension or enjoyment.

Some filmmakers don't seem to understand that startling someone isn't the same as scaring them. That's not what horror is. Blowing up a balloon behind someone and making it pop doesn't make you a master of horror.

And that's exactly what the scares in this movie are...just obnoxiously loud sound effects, one after another. There's no real tension, no engaging characters, nothing to actually fear.

The only reason you jump is because of how loud the effects are, not because the scene is genuinely terrifying or well-crafted.

Does that make you a great horror filmmaker? No, it doesn't. It just proves you have no idea what you're doing.

If you're looking for a good found footage movie with compelling characters and a solid plot, this definitely isn't it.

A solid but unspectacular found footage film that sets itself up well but then fails to tie everything together as it goes along. There are plenty of scares, just don't expect to have much idea of what's behind it all.

Synopsis: Do Not Enter (Spanish: No entres) is a 2024 Paraguayan-Argentine horror thriller film written, filmed, co-edited, co-scored, co-produced and directed by Hugo Cardozo. Starring Lucas Caballero and Pablo Martínez who play two fame-hungry YouTubers who are trapped in a dark and gloomy environment when they enter a mysterious house. The rest of the cast is completed by Rafael Alfaro, Lara Chamorro, Andy Romero, Mario González Martí, Ariel Delgadillo and Lia Love.

"Do Not Enter" attempts to breathe new life into the genre with its unique setting and chilling atmosphere. However, it falls short in several areas.

The film follows the story of two YouTubers who decide to spend a night in a haunted house. The house, with its dark history and eerie ambiance, is a character in itself, adding to the overall sense of dread and unease.

One of the film's strengths lies in its jump scares. Cardozo masterfully crafts moments of genuine terror that will make even the most seasoned horror fans jump out of their seats. The use of sound and lighting to create tension is commendable, and the scares are well-timed and effective. These moments are the highlights of the film and showcase Cardozo's potential as a horror director.

However, the film's characters are a major letdown. The two protagonists are unlikeable and make it difficult for the audience to root for them. Their actions and decisions often come across as irrational and frustrating, which detracts from the overall experience. In a genre where character empathy is crucial, "Do Not Enter" fails to deliver.

Another significant issue with the film is its opening scene, which features verbal homophobic comments. This choice is not only in poor taste but also sets a negative tone for the rest of the movie. It feels unnecessary and out of place, alienating a portion of the audience right from the start. In an era where inclusivity and sensitivity are paramount, this misstep is glaring and detracts from the film's overall impact.

The film's pacing is another area where it falters. While the jump scares are effective, the moments in between often drag, making the film feel longer than its runtime. The build-up to the scares is sometimes too slow, and the lack of character development makes these lulls even more noticeable. A tighter script and better pacing could have significantly improved the overall experience.

Despite its flaws, "Do Not Enter" does have some redeeming qualities. The cinematography is impressive, especially considering the found footage format. The handheld camera work adds to the sense of realism and immersion, making the audience feel like they are part of the experience. The film's setting and atmosphere are also well-executed, creating a sense of claustrophobia and dread that lingers throughout.

This is a low budget movie from Paraguay, but it doesn't look cheap at all. The story is simple, two Youtubers spend a night in a haunted house. You've seen it many times before, sometimes better, sometimes worse. The house where the film was filmed used to be a place where political prisoners were tortured. Since then it has been empty.

I liked the movie a lot. Considering that it is a low budget movie, there is actually nothing to complain about. The Directing, Camerawork and effects are good. Maybe they could have gotten better actors, but it's not a Hollywood production after all. Hugo Cardozo directs and also plays the leading role alongside Hernán Moyano, who is actually a producer.

This is Cardozo's second film after Morque, which is at least as worth seeing as this one.

I give the movie 7 stars because of the small budget. If this were a high budget Hollywood production, I would probably only give it 6 stars. By the way, I hate 1 and 10 stars reviews. If someone gives 1 star here, I wonder what he gives really bad movies, shot by students as an example? The same with the 10 stars reviews. No movie is perfect, so how can you throw 10 stars around? Maybe Chinatown or The Godfather deserves 10 stars, that's it.

Horror is my favorite genre and I recommend the movie exclusively for fans of low budget horror films.

7 out of 10.

Delivers what it promises - a simple plot with scary moments!

I was really surprised with the looks and effects of this movie, it's all well done and convincing, doesn't look like a small production at all.

The main location of the movie is perfect, it makes you really tense and creates a scary atmosphere for it along with an efficient soundtrack. We have tense moments and good jumpscares.

The ending was disappointing, it simply doesn't explain anything about what happened at that house.

The acting is kind of bad, a little exaggerated sometimes, but convincing enough to keep the movie interesting.

Yes, the plot is cliché and we've seen it before, a found footage movie about people coming into an abandoned place. We all know what happens then, and also know how it ends, but it develops in an interesting way.