Barbarian is making a splash in theaters this week by providing a unique and refreshing spin on established horror movie tropes. Zach Cregger writes a superb script and directs one of the year’s most unpredictable and enjoyable films.
What’s it about?
Tess (Georgina Campbell) travels to Detroit to interview for a job with a famous documentarian. She rents out an Air BnB in what appears to be the only standing home in a broken-down neighborhood. She arrives at the BnB, only to find that it was double-booked by Keith (Bill Skarsgård). With a roaring thunderstorm and every hotel booked, Tess’s only option was to stay with this stranger.
Although Tess is suspicious of Keith, they eventually warm up to each other through engaging conversation throughout the night. The next day, Tess has a great interview and returns to the BnB. Keith is away, so she lets herself in. Tess somehow gets locked inside of a basement and, while there, discovers a hidden door. The secret door leads to a terrifying corridor that includes what appears to be a torture room. Keith eventually arrives and lets the horrified Tess out of the basement. Tess tries to get Keith to leave with her, but he wants to investigate the cellar first. What he discovers is a second hidden corridor that is hiding a deadly secret.
My Reaction
Comedy writer Zach Cregger developed a wonderfully unique story loaded with pivots and misdirection that separate Barbarian from your typical horror movie. The first twenty minutes of the film are well done but are full of horror movie tropes familiar to fans of the genre. The creepy stranger, doors that open and close on their own, dark and musty rooms, and many standard horror conventions lulled me into complacency. Sure, I was on edge, but I was in familiar territory.
Suddenly, the movie goes in a very unexpected direction. I could hear sighs of confusion and unease throughout the theater. I knew everyone was feeling the same way that I felt. This isn’t how a movie is supposed to play out. With the rug pulled from under me, I was now out of my element, not knowing what to expect from the rest of the film. Yes, Barbarian eventually does settle back into a classic horror film. However, that initial jolt makes every convention feel fresh.
The decisions in set design were incredible. The juxtaposition with the comfortable upstairs and the basement dungeons enhanced the creepiness. You ask yourself why such a disgusting dungeon would exist in this well-crafted home. The never-ending corridor is dark, damp, and grotesque. The neighborhood is also well designed. To have this well-manicured house amongst dozens of abandoned and dilapidated homes is just as jolting as the passageways and dungeons underground.
As a comedy writer and performer, Cregger cannot help but add laughs and chuckles to the film.
Barbarian also has something to say about the treatment of neighborhoods and their residents that have been thrown away. There is even a critique of police responses to those who aren’t well groomed and put together. Barbarian’s most poignant commentary is on unacceptable toxic masculinity and sexual assault. However, the movie doesn’t beat you over the head with any of these ideas, just low-grade acknowledgment for the sake of humor and plot momentum.
Barbarian has more humor than I initially anticipated. As a comedy writer and performer, Cregger cannot help but add laughs and chuckles to the film. Perfect timing keeps the moving from becoming a horror comedy, as the laughs never diminish the terror happening on screen.
Overall Rating
It is difficult to talk about this film without revealing spoilers that may ruin part of the experience. So, I’ll just say that Barbarian is the most fun this horror film fiend has had so far this year. Barbarian is unpredictable, frightening, and refreshing. Although scary movie season is just starting, Barbarian is making its case for being the best horror of 2022.
