Things Heard & Seen

I'll just keep this short and sweet. Turn it off a few minutes before the ending and make your own version up. Your version will without question be better then this.

This had SO much potential. Bummed me right out. It started slowed, built up to something that could have been great, then felt like it tripped over its own pretentiousness and fell flat on its face. Damn. Just made the whole time I watched it feel like a waste.

First of all, don't expect a horror movie, this is more of a supernatural thriller with a creepy atmosphere.

I saw it on the release date, and it had already gotten pretty negative reviews. On top of that I don't expect a whole lot from Netflix movies, so I went in with very low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised.

The film is intriguing, it works on the drama and mystery level, and though I'm not easily scared, I would say that the few horror elements in the film are pretty well done. The acting is solid all around, and the direction is capable.

The thing is, and I'm guessing this is due to the fact that it's based on a book, the film tries to do too much. There are characters (Willis) and plot lines (Catherine's bulimia) that you imagine are important in the book, but fail to make the kind of impact on the film that they were clearly meant to. It's hard to go into detail without spoiling, but in short more emphasis on characters and main plot lines would have served the movie well. I have no doubt the source material is fantastic, but the movie could have done better if some of it had just been left in the book.

Which brings us to the two hour run-time, some would argue that it would have been better if it was shorter, I would argue the that the length is what makes the film (mostly) work in the end.

To sum up, a decent supernatural thriller, albeit with a bit too much going on.

What a bizarre, curious movie this was, classified on Netflix as a horror, it is most definitely not a horror, I'd place it more in the thriller genre.

Production values are superb, and the acting is first rate, both James Norton and Amanda Seyfried put in first rate performances, the pair are superb.

Each scene where I saw Norton's white vest popping through the top of his jumper, I saw Sidney Chambers, British fans will of course be familiar with Granchester.

Despite the amazing acting, and the very atmospheric start, I find it hard to forgive the ending, this is a movie in the category of, how not to end a film, it sucks, it's unoriginal, and the movie deserved more.

Overall, very well acted, good story, a poor ending, it's worth a look, 6/10.

Some parts are very good and thrilling but then it turns into nowhere ! Good actors - bad script

Finally watchable if you ignore the very bad ending ! Makes no sense to me - sorry.