American Gothic

I saw the low ratings this movie got, but decided to check it out, just in case.

No idea how the time flew by so fast, but the next thing you know, the credits were running.

That alone should be a good indicator of the movie's promise of entertainment.

The story is simple, contains no shocking surprises but still worth the attention it deserved.

Don't listen to naysayers, they know not what they speak of.

Check it out.

'American Gothic' drew me into seeing it, with a cool poster/cover, an intriguing and quite creative premise and as someone with a general appreciation for horror. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive.

It is sadly however yet another film seen recently, hence some reiteration because the exact same strengths and flaws are here present in those films, that to me was incredibly disappointing considering its potential which it doesn't do anywhere near enough with. 'American Gothic' is terrible, with a plethora of problems (huge ones too) and doesn't do enough with its potential, which was hardly small. There is very little to recommend, but still a couple of qualities in 'American Gothic'.

Lets start with the positives. The scenery is atmospheric and spooky, despite the rather direct to video schlocky way it's generally shot (apart from the odd nice one) and edited, it was very clear that the film was made in a rush with no care or enthusiasm.

First ten minutes at least doesn't make one want to turn off.

Going on further to the negatives, the story does feel over-stretched and some of it feels vague, under-explained in the last third where the film especially became duller, more predictable, more senseless and less unsettled and never gaining momentum. Too many characters are too sketchy and with nowhere near enough to make one want to endear to them. Their annoying and illogical decision making and behaviours frustrates.

Making the film feel bland and forgettable with not enough heart put into it. The effects are ropy at best, the sound quality is obvious and utilised cheaply (being too loud in the build ups and people's reactions) and all of the acting is lacking mostly.

Dialogue can be stilted and rambling while the pace and film drags on forever, never recovering until finally getting slightly intriguing to the ending when something finally happens. Even the ending however is botched, due to being so incomplete-feeling, illogical and rushed. Found too many the supposedly shocking moments not surprising or scary and the supposedly creepy atmosphere dreary, due to the excessive obviousness, a lot of dumb and vague moments and explanations and the lack of tension and suspense.

A lot of 'American Gothic' has underdeveloped plot elements and often nonsensical and confusing character motivations, while too many of the things to make you shocked are far from creative or unsetling

There is not enough threat here and what there is of it tends to be used poorly, while the psychological elements are unimaginative and are more odd than scary, completely failing to show any sense of horror. Some badly sagging momentum too. The direction is leaden, got the sense their heart was not in it, and the music doesn't really fit.

Concluding, terrible. 2/10 Bethany Cox

This movie is legit too overrated to even be called amateur work. The lack luster effort put into this movie will shine through at the start of the movie, and only get worse as it goes. The camera work horrid, the acting below average even for a grade school play, the sad waste of such a good title as well. Only thing american would have been the farmhouse, def not the wife... and nothing about this was gothic or even dark for that matter. You can tell that the only good ratings on this movie were from paid reviewers or those who had some kinda role in the movie.. You can easily tell just by the way they wrote their reviews,that they are indeed fake reviews... Which that in its self blows my mind. This director and actors need to find new jobs, because not a one of them have a place in this industry. If this is their first movie, I suggest it be their last. So for all of the negative reviews count them being the truthful ones. Because they will save you money and time, or at least direct you to a better choice.

This is an unbelievable waste of air time. The plot starts off slowly and confusingly. Only to develop into a predictable mess. Filled with poor acting and a story line that has faults all over. Like bolt cutters appearing by accident, just at the right moment and injured people able to run away, at speed with life threatening wounds. The law officers in this county were looking for two escaped convicts? More like they were looking for a tin of custard in a supermarket and did not bother to look in the tinned custard section of Walmart. I have tried not to include spoilers, I dare you to watch this and then give IMDb an honest opinion in reviews for yourself. It really is that bad, that it needs to be proved as such by viewers worldwide.

OK. Let us begin: the camera work will be the first thing you'll notice. It's weak and amateurish.Then the actors and their supposed job: by indie standards, both hit the floor. Plot: started obvious, has a better change to it towards the finale, a little of this and a little of that.

Is it recommendable? Far from it. Does it have any horror to provide? Again, no! Just a lot of nonsense overall. Sorry to say so but you won't find anything entertaining here. Plot holes, bad acting, bad kill shot and horrible fake deaths.

American Gothic translates into American NoNo. Try instead: Intruders (2015), Hush (2016) or even Don't Breathe (2016).

Cheers!