Skinamarink

EEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee......ok let's get into this film that is either the most terrifying or the most incredibly boring film people have seen. I can honestly see both sides of the spectrum here. You HAVE to be in a certain mindset going into the film. You almost have to already have to be in a state where you feel vulnerable to trance if that makes sense. The whole film is so grainy and dark and has almost no narration except for the kids talking quietly or the "entity" in the house. I guess the parents talk a little bit too, but most of the film focuses on the scarce dialogue of the kids and demon thing. Ok, I have not gotten through the entire House of Leaves book, but I can see how this movie falls along those same scenario lines. Like the doors are missing and sometimes the toilet is there and sometimes is not. The house also changes in dimensions at times. I'm thinking of the end where the hallways with all the toys keeps getting further and further away. That could be a metaphor though. Ok, what I absolutely love about this film is that it is so limited in narration and story that the film is really up to being interpreted in so many ways. When I first watched the movie, I thought of the movie as a story of child abuse and the "entity" was what Kevin was perceiving as his father while in a coma. However, the second time I watched it, I took it more literally...like the demonic, weird voice was actually in the house and actually making things happen that were unnatural (aka taking his sister's eyes and mouth...). I think more people tend to believe the coma instance based on the number that appears on the screen at the end (500 and something days), however, that number could also be taken as days the demon has occupied the house?? I 'm prone to side with Kevin's coma being the real case rather than an actual demon in the house, but again, I don't know if there is a concrete answer. This was an extremely experimental film that left a lot up for discussion. I think it was one of those movies that was low-budget and fun to make, but didn't have a real intended storyline. I don't want to say this movie just looked cool to look cool, but it does tap in to niche of liminal spaces and that alone could have been the driving force to the movie. This is one of those movies along with Perfect Blue that I could discuss forever, because there are so many interesting theories. All in all, this movie was super creepy to me. Growing up as a kid in the 90s and already have childhood trauma made this movie sooooo eerie. 

Shudder rating: 3 out of 5 skulls??????

My rating: 4 out of 5 skulls