Notizie

Claiming a show’s location is a character unto itself is, by itself, a cliché. But appreciating how a fully realized city or setting can make or break a series sure isn’t. While period tales and flashy action pieces garner specific analysis during awards season for their accuracy and ambition, far more “traditional” TV shows utilize sets, costumes, lighting, and more to enhance their story’s hospitality factor. Television is an intimate medium, after all, and earning a repeat invitation is everyone’s job. For as much (rightful) attention as “Mare of Easttown” gets for the verisimilitude evoked by its naturalistic Pennsylvania setting, “Only Murders in the Building” merits equal praise for its inventive, welcoming, and altogether immaculate design. Without such critical touches, the comic murder-mystery could’ve easily fallen apart.

After all, Hulu’s 10-episode limited series — created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin — tackles its various genres in unconventional fashion.

Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday.

This week’s question: What horror film deserves more love, and where can people see it?

Danielle Solzman (@DanielleSATM), Solzy at the Movies/Freelance

“Bear with Us” is a horror comedy that takes the cabin-in-the-woods genre and turns it on its head. After Colin’s (Mark Jude Sullivan) initial proposal to Quincy (“Even Stevens” star Christy Carlson Romano) is rejected, he decides to do it again some six months later. Not only does he plan to bring some friends along, but he also asks Harry (Collin Smith) to dress in a bear costume. It may be a bad idea but it’s not like anyone wouldn’t have had the foresight to expect this romantic getaway to be a recipe for disaster — it’s set at a cabin in the woods for crying out loud!