Barbarian(2022)(Review)[Weirdo Wednesday]

“Barbarian” is a brand new horror film from writer director Zach Creggers, who is mostly known for being one of the five leads of the comedy troupe ‘The Whitest Kids U Know’. What he presents here is a look into uncertainty and insanity in an extremely original way.

When a woman arrives at her AirB&B reservation to find that it’s been double booked, she makes the decision to stay anyway. It features a fun cast including Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgard, Justin Long, & Richard Brake. What begins in a way that seems rather predictable and simple from the start QUICKLY scraps any expectations you may have by constantly one-upping itself. It’s written by a guy who is a huge horror fan and understands the formula that works. The dread is constantly brewing, the imagery is haunting, the story is simple yet complicated, and the set design is beautiful. You will continue to guess and wonder every few minutes, and the boiling pot does not ever leave the burner once it gets there.

I was so excited to see this one after hearing all the praise – especially praise from websites and podcasts who aren’t even horror fans. If you remember what it was like when comedian Jordan Peele gave us his debut horror film, then this is a similar circumstance. It’s a very dark and shocking movie, and instead of trying to be a controversial horror comedy, it just decides to lean into the horror full swing while being borderline silly and wittily written. While it can’t be compared to Peele’s films since it definitely went for a more gritty, no-holds-barred style, we can atleast compare the approach – and it’s SUCH a good time.

I refuse to spoil anything about this film, and I strongly encourage you to go see it before someone else does it for you. This film needs to be seen to be believed.

5/5
“Barbarian” is currently playing in theaters everywhere.

‘Til Next Time,
Mike Cleopatra