Spring

A hidden gem and easily one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The acting, writing and directing are all seamless.

I admit there were moments, such as when our poor protagonist reacts to the truth about his girlfriend, which stretched the bounds of plausibility, but aside from those few scenes the film was incredibly real and fresh throughout.

The film's brand of dry, intelligent humor was a lovely surprise. I buckled in for a thriller and found myself laughing many times instead. I also highly commend the snippets of philosophy, morality, mortality, religion and science which were sprinkled throughout the film and delivered with just the right amount of wit and depth by both actors.

It really is a wonderful blend of romance and sci-fi, and this is coming from someone who loves sci-fi and has a pathological fear of chick flicks. I highly recommend it.

This turned out to be much sweeter, much more touching than I had first anticipated. Though the film takes a good half an hour to get into its stride it really is worth the slight uneasy feeling you may have when Evan first gets to Italy and you're wondering if it's going to turn into something akin to the Hostel series, but thankfully this is as far away from that kind of horror as possible.

At it's core the film is a dark, fairy-tale like horror romance but it keeps itself grounded in ways that are really satisfying and could only be possible in the world of independent cinema because if someone else, other than Benson & Moorhead, had made the film it could've easily turned into one of those slick, Hollywood style fantasy movies with lots of leather, low-key lighting, vivid colours and fast editing. The film does have very dark moments, horrifying moments, but they're handled with a certain amount of grace and elegance that I wasn't expecting and you will enjoy this film more than you think you might.

The lead actors are great. Lou Taylor Pucci's portrayal of Evan is wholly convincing, his character could've run the risk of being entirely forgettable but he's sweet and charming and highly likable. Nadia Hilker has been working in German television for about 5 years, this is her first feature film, and I have to say I'm a little bit in love with her. The personality she gives to a character that could easily have fallen into the realms of utter cliché is really, really refreshing.

A slightly twisted, supernatural companion piece to Before Sunrise? maybe, maybe not. But definitely something different, at least.

What a great little film. Once you get to the third act and you have all of the details, you pretty much know how it's probably going to end, but it doesn't matter. The fantastical premise serves a backdrop for a really fantastic human story, one that is pretty much interested in dialogue over plot. I first saw Lou Taylor Pucci in Evil Dead and thought he was so great in it. He has such an effective naturalism that is present here throughout. A nice surprise of a film, even if not without its flaws. I definitely will try to recommend this to people and try to put the word out there, I feel like it could gain a really strong fanbase if it got seen more.

Spring not only manages to blend different genres - especially horror and romance - but also directorial styles from typically distant worlds.

A mature and conscious work that showcases a well-defined style with a script that tells a deep romantic love story.

The visual elegance of the scenes, a mellow and delightful soundtrack and intrinsic quality material elevate this film above the usual cinematic products.

It evokes a feeling that has something of the sublimity: it is mixed at the same time of attraction and repulsion, of disgust and pleasure, of terror and joy.

Wonderful utopia of love lost in time but also an ancient mystery of inexplicable horror.

A horror that wants to talk about feelings, beautifully told against a fairytale backdrop.

Transcends all genres to deliver a story that feels entirely unique.

The film was highly praised and received enthusiastic reviews.

"Spring is one of the best horror films of this decade. A film that has blown me away." - Guillermo del Toro

"A beautiful and unique love story ... a real accomplishment of genre and tone." - Richard Linklater

"Phenomenal....a hybrid of Richard Linklater & H. P. Lovecraft" - rogerebert.

So, you're scrolling through IMDb top 250 looking for something. It doesn't have to be an awesome blockbuster or a life-changing experience. BUT you do want to see something decent. This is your movie.

If you are looking for that run of the mill hack and slash horror movie(including flying heads and such) keep looking.

But, if, like me, your looking for that tiny jewel you just so happened to miss, you've just hit the jackpot.

The beginning of the movie is raw and slow. But not too raw or slow. However, slow and raw enough that pop-corn munching blockbuster- loving idiots will be bored.

Movies that start like this can develop in works that make you feel like hell for 2 hours and then leave you with nothing. So, I started doubting whether this movie was going to be too much "slice of life".

But then...

You are rewarded for putting up with harsh reality.

When the main characters are introduced to each other this movie changes. The dialogue is fascinating. The plot is introduced quickly yet gently, and completely sucks you in.

You're on a creepy ride which you think might break down at any moment...But it doesn't.

The movie really keeps momentum and leaves you with a satisfying experience.

The characters are fleshed out well and the "horror" part eases in smoothly.

All in all, I would watch this movie again just to see my loved ones react to it. Watch this movie, and be positively surprised, you have just found yourself a little gem.