Régression

This film is not a conventional 7 - a score I would tend to give to a decent but not outstanding film. Regression was in some ways an 8, or dare I say it 9, but some of its flaws are just too bad g to ignore.

I will start by talking about its strong points. The story line and script were engaging, unpredictable and fresh. There were enough twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing, and without too much in fact happening, the film is disturbing and uncomfortable to watch. The twists as the film goes on are not outlandish - a careful viewer will be able to pick up on a number of subtle clues. The acting is good and the characters succeed of convincing us of their roles - mostly.

What then is wrong? First and foremost - whilst the female lead is a good actress, her American accent just isn't convincing enough for us to forget about Hermione. Secondly, whilst I am no expert of the American justice system, some of the practises and actions taken by the police seem questionable and unrealistic. The psychologist is cliché and annoying - going round insulting strangers for having religious beliefs. The ending is an anti climax once the big revelation has occurred, and it seems like the writers tried to re kindle the atmosphere, which doesn't happen. The ending is also a bit hard to square in your mind logically.

Therefore, whilst this film is a very enjoyable watch, its flaws deprive it of the 8+ score in my eyes.

This film tells the story of a policeman who investigates a woman's claim that she is the victim of abuse from a Satanic cult, which includes her father and a fellow policeman colleague.

"Regression" has a very intriguing plot! I have to say that I did not see the twists coming, even though I had several possibilities in mind. Ethan Hawke is convincing as a dedicated policeman who wants to get to the bottom of the abuse, in order to help the poor woman who naturally evokes much sympathy from viewers. The story is intense because the mystery is well built, and the suspense is well kept. I enjoyed watching "Regression" a lot.

And it's also a mystery how we watch movies or what we expect of them. You may watch something and think it's the best thing ever, just to find out you're more or less alone with that sentiment. But that's why arguing or even discussing movies can be so much fun and is intriguing to say the least.

Take this movie, which is not the best thriller ever made, but is more than rock solid. I really liked it and it has to do with the acting, the mood it builds up, the tension throughout and how it makes sense altogether. That doesn't mean that everyone enjoys it or will enjoy watching it. Especially if you can't wrap your head around what is happening - or how it is happening. Some won't like how it turns out (no pun intended), but it was fitting in my book. It's something more for the mind rather than something that just relies on shock values (though it has more than its fair amount of that too)

I don't think this one will take any prizes for acting, or even for its fairly modest special effects, but it has a reasonably intelligent script and enough tension and intrigue to keep the audience awake. It takes its inspiration from a wave of Satanic child abuse accusations and actual court cases that swept the world in the 1980s and 90s, but fizzled out with very little hard evidence emerging and very few convictions. Many blamed 'false memories' implanted by well-meaning counselors and psychologists and even the Press, unintentionally encouraging people in the creation of fantasies. 'Regression' tries to show how, in a manner reminiscent of the Salem witch trials, human suggestibility creates 'evidence' out of thin air, and delusional states become contagious. In doing this it is of course skating on thin ice, since similar ideas have often been used in attempts to discredit the claims of those reporting genuine 'historical' cases of assault or abuse.

The resolution presented in 'Regression' is perhaps one of the least satisfying aspects of the film, and I was surprised that no reference was made to the fundamentalist Christian element for which parts of America are so famous.

I think this one entertains, and after a slowish start builds up to quite a fast and dramatic pace in the second half. I would definitely recommend seeing it, but I don't think you would lose very much by waiting for it to get to rental or television.

If you can trust an actor to make a good horror, lately that one is Ethan Hawke. From Sinister, to The Purge, or Daybreakers, he knows how to pick them and make the most of them.

A lot more psychological than the rest, Regression has a beautiful story, with a great dark atmosphere, suspense, scares, all the ingredients to a good little horror. I was intrigued from start to end, waiting to see more, trying to wrap my brain around it, and expecting a finish that would make the most sense.

And boy I got it all! It really is a great production, an example of what a horror should look like, goes hand in hand with Deliver Us From Evil, both movies are smart and filled with tension.

Cheers!