Thorns(2023)(Review) - Gruesome Gazette

Seeing the image of the creature featured in Thorns(2023) will have most people thinking of Hellraiser. Even more so that Doug Bradley has a role in it. This is a demon in space movie that explores the ultimate test of faith.

The plot sees a man sent by NASA to investigate an observatory that went quiet after intercepting a signal that came from unknown planet. He then finds himself in a struggle to prevent earth from a hellish invasion.

It doesn’t take long for stuff to go off the rails, with gore and strange imagery. Our beast arrives with the first moments of the film. Not only will you feel the Hellraiser vibes, but it will also remind you of Event Horizon as well. The protagonist who ends up being an ex clergy member is finding himself against forces he cant comprehend. It doesnt help matters when a mute nun shows up.

The creature known as the Necronaut looks completely awesome with the design. It looks like it could have been a lost Cenobite design. There’s a mix of practical effects with CGI trickery. Blood splatters everywhere with some gruesome body horror to boot. There’s scenes that you will find yourself wanting to look away from. The sound design has some unnerving qualities. We are then lead to an ending that contains a reveal that wont be that surprising.

For something low budget and released quietly, this was actually as good as it was expected to be. It’s a religious horror that’s also a cosmic horror, and it wears its badges well of the films it drew influences from. I found it enjoyable. You can find it streaming on Tubi and I recommend giving it a chance.

If you have already seen Thorns, how did you feel about it? Let us know in the comments below!

Till next time, stay scared!
-Tha Thrilla-