Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

October 18, 2015
8.0
Three Billy Goats Gruff. Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, Absentia finds Tricia (Courtney Bell) and Callie (Katie Parker) as two sisters who come to believe that the underpass nearby could be linked to the many disappearances in the area. A slow burn indie horror is not everybody's idea of a good time, but Flanagan has crafted a smart atmospheric chiller, one with a nifty fairy tale fantasy bubbling away under the surface. Narratively it's low-key, though the air of grief and terror is palpable. The setting is a low rent area of Los Angeles, a place where the girls are told to always keep the doors locked, with the ominous underpass haunting the edges of every other frame. Flanagan filters his story through the urban locale while populating it with characters who are haunted by something unseen, or by others who are troubled by personal issues (Tricia's husband disappeared 7 years ago and Callie is fighting a needle habit). The formula scares are kept to a minimum, Flanagan choosing to imbue the story with a sense of dread, toying with the sisters and us the viewers that there just may be something truly awful lurking just out of the eye line. This is not a creature feature, like The Relic or Mimic, this is a different horror film to those. The horrors are born out of what you don't see, or what you barely glimpse, just like the classic horrors of yesteryear, with Flanagan cheekily dangling ambiguity into the bargain. It's unnerving and sad, creepy yet cunning, and a refreshing experience for those tired of big effects driven horror movies. If you like the slow burn less is more approach, with well written human drama in the bargain? Then give this a chance. 8/10
Gimly

Gimly

September 19, 2016
7.0
Pure filmmaking. Has the atmosphere that is by and large missing from the horror genre, opting for character development, tension, engagement and grounding rather than jump scares and gross-out gore effects. Still a horror movie, to be sure (and therefore not for everybody) but one that stands on its own. _ Final rating:★★★½ - I strongly recommend you make the time._
Jack

Jack

May 21, 2020
0.0
I watched this film without knowing it was actually directed by Mike Flanagan. When I saw his name in the beginning of the film, I immediately knew I was in for a treat! I was not wrong! There is something special about the way he tries to scare people who watch his films. I can't tell you exactly what that is. All I know is that he is bloody good at it! You could see the film had a limited budget but actually the fact that its budget was limited made the film even better. Its atmosphere was unique. The "jump scares" were not really a traditional jump scare but rather an amazing collection of moments where you wished you were so glued to the screen. Would I watch it again? Definitely! Would I make my friends watch it? ASAP!
Kamurai

Kamurai

January 15, 2021
8.0
Fantastic watch, would watch again, and do recommend, especially for horror fans. This is a movie that took from "Alien" and "Jaws" significantly in regards to seeing the danger. Admittedly, this movie does have some ramp up time where it spends a lot of time establishing the setting in the 1st act, but it (mostly) comes into play as somewhat important as the 2nd and 3rd as the story progresses. Once it starts getting creepy it increases exponentially throughout the movie, and with such a great concept and even execution. This is probably my favorite low budget horror movie, and while the movie looks a little grainy in parts, and it's a cast of (mostly) unknowns, you can tell exactly where the majority of their budge went, and it was worth it. If you have ever liked a creepy horror movie, then give this a go.

Recommendation Movies

5.7
Drama
View
5.7
The Fluffer
The Fluffer2001
3.4
Science Fiction
View
3.4
100 Million BC
100 Million BC2008
4.3
Drama
View
4.3
The Presence
The Presence2010
5.9
Romance
View
5.9
Last Summer
Last Summer2021
5
Horror
View
5
Come Out and Play
Come Out and Play2012
5.4
Horror
View
5.4
The Shrine
The Shrine2010
5.9
Horror
View
5.9
Open Grave
Open Grave2013
6.6
Drama
View
6.6
Our Life
Our Life2010
5.8
Horror
View
5.8
Still/Born
Still/Born2018
6.8
Comedy
View
6.8
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing2013
7.7
Documentary
View
7.7
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon
Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon2011
6.2
Comedy
View
6.2
Frankenhooker
Frankenhooker1990
5.4
Horror
View
5.4
Silent House
Silent House2011
7.1
Horror
View
7.1
The Haunting
The Haunting1963
6.2
Drama
View
6.2
Excision
Excision2012
5.8
Horror
View
5.8
Husk
Husk2011
6.7
Drama
View
6.7
Waitress
Waitress2007
6.7
Adventure
View
6.7
Ravenous
Ravenous1999
6.1
Crime
View
6.1
Devil's Knot
Devil's Knot2013
5.3
Drama
View
5.3
Get a Job
Get a Job2016
© 2024 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt