As a horror enthusiast with over two decades of chilling experiences under my belt, I must say that both “House on Haunted Hill” (1999) and “The Devil Inside” (2012) left me with mixed feelings. While they each had their moments that sent a shiver down my spine, neither quite reached the heights of terror I’ve encountered in other films.
As Halloween approaches, enthusiasts of the chilling world of horror are starting to feel a shift in the air, as we move towards their most anticipated season. For these horror fans, this time of year offers an opportunity to dive deep into everything that makes their hearts race. For cinephiles, it signifies the thrill of the blockbuster horror movies that studios often debut during Halloween. In anticipation, it also serves as a reason to revisit timeless classics and beloved favorites once more.
It’s disheartening as a devoted horror fan to see so many disappointments in the genre. Despite an abundance of horror movies produced annually, finding truly exceptional ones is often like searching for a needle in a haystack. As a category that enthusiasts eagerly anticipate each year, it can be quite frustrating when so many new releases seem devoid of originality.
The primary reason for this is typically the excessive investment that major production houses make in special effects for horror movies, assuming that high-quality SFX can generate scares on their own. While it’s sometimes effective, the most outstanding horror movies ever made, such as “The Exorcist,” often rely on both remarkable special effects and a compelling narrative to earn such acclaim. However, there are numerous instances where exceptional special effects failed to rescue poorly crafted horror films from critical flak.
Here’s a glance at ten horror films, despite receiving poor reviews from critics, boasted exceptional visual effects.
10 The Thing (2011)
Although “The Thing” was a prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 movie with the same title, it unfortunately flopped both critically and commercially. At first glance, it appeared to avoid many pitfalls, boasting a star-studded cast including Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton, and delivering an engaging narrative about a group of scientists investigating a crashed UFO in Antarctica. However, the main issue lies in the fact that the alien wasn’t truly deceased and eventually caused chaos among the team.
An Ode to a Great That Didn’t Quite Stick the Landing
The movie, in certain aspects, was simultaneously boosted and hindered by its acclaimed precursor. On one hand, it retained several elements that made the initial film a timeless masterpiece. Yet, it fell short of recreating the intense, confined dread that characterized the original. Nonetheless, since the alien character from these movies is known for imitating others flawlessly, it allowed the film to showcase stunning special effects – a department where it truly excelled, offering several remarkable scenes that were meticulously crafted and visually captivating.
9 Alien: Resurrection (1997)
In the role as the fourth chapter of the renowned sci-fi-horror series, Alien: Resurrection arrived when the franchise was showing signs of struggle. Contrasting the past when Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) was depicted in a way that earned her iconic status in pop culture, this installment is set 200 years after her demise. This temporal gap worked against it even though Ripley appears in the movie, as she was in fact a clone of the original character, diluting the impact of her presence.
The SFX Hit the Mark in Some Horrifying Ways
The movie, with its confusing plotline and less appealing actors (excluding Winona Ryder), garnered only a mediocre 50% critical approval rating. This stands in stark contrast to the exceptional scores of 98% and 97% that the original two films under Ridley Scott and James Cameron received. Despite being rated higher than David Fincher’s “Alien 3” (45%) and enjoying a bit more favorable reception now, the film was met with widespread criticism from fans.
Nevertheless, the special effects were generally praiseworthy, featuring numerous impressive and well-executed scenes. The movie skillfully depicted the aliens and their actions in a terrifying manner, solidifying its place within the horror genre while also utilizing familiar science fiction motifs.
8 The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018)
Despite boasting some thrilling scenes and serving as an enjoyable horror flick for many viewers, The Possession of Hannah Grace failed to impress critics significantly, earning only a 18% rating. Featuring Shay Mitchell, the movie delved into a chilling tale about a young woman who was possessed by a demon, subsequently killed, and later reanimated by the same demon during her night shift at a morgue. The elements were all set for a truly terrifying experience. Unfortunately, however, it fell short of expectations, appearing more forced than frightening in the end.
The SFX Made It Visually Pleasing as a Horror Film
Regardless of its poor reviews, the movie garnered substantial success at the box office and showcased an appealingly eerie atmosphere with its special effects. With a plot centered around a corpse gradually coming back to life after being stabbed, hacked, and burned, the scene where it crept through the darkness using other characters’ body parts to reconstruct itself was downright chilling.
7 Ghost Ship (2002)
Despite garnering some level of notoriety online, the movie known as Ghost Ship was largely forgettable in its original release. The plot centers around a lavish ocean liner that suddenly vanishes along with its crew, only to reappear 40 years later when it’s discovered adrift by a salvage team. However, they are unaware of the ship’s troubled history, and as its haunting past is gradually revealed, strange and supernatural occurrences start to haunt the salvage team.
It Was Nominated for a Worst Picture Award
The movie showcased talented actors like Gabriel Byrne and Julianna Marguilles, but unfortunately, neither could prevent it from earning a dismal 15% rating, marking it as a critical flop despite being a financial hit. In reality, it was so severely criticized that it was nominated for the Worst Picture at the 2003 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. However, this poor reception hasn’t stopped it from gaining a following today on social media, with fans praising its impressive special effects, particularly its groundbreaking opening scene in the horror genre, and the abundance of convincing gore.
Here’s a look at the official trailer for the film for anyone thinking of giving this one a try.
6 Silent Hill: Revelation (2006)
In 2012, the second movie adaptation of the popular horror video game series, “Silent Hill,” titled “Silent Hill: Revelation,” hit the screens. This film was directed by Michael J. Bassett. The main character in this film is Heather, portrayed by Adelaide Clemens. As she grapples with recurring nightmares and the mysterious disappearance of her father (played by Sean Bean), she finds herself drawn to the ghost town of Silent Hill and uncovers the chilling secrets it conceals.
The Cast and Effects Were Great but the Film Was Really Bad
Although these games are cherished by gamers worldwide, this movie didn’t do as well. The initial movie received mostly positive reviews, but this sequel was criticized for being overly complex and heavily reliant on CGI. However, those very aspects were what some people enjoyed the most. Despite featuring another actor from “Game of Thrones,” namely Kit Harrington, the film ultimately fell flat, with its visually stunning effects and monsters being the only real highlights in an otherwise lackluster production.
5 The Haunting (1999)
In 1999, filmmaker Jan de Bont reimagined the 1963 movie adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel, “The Haunting”. Known for hits like “Twister” and “Speed”, this remake didn’t garner the same acclaim. The star-studded cast included Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor (who later found success in horror films such as “The Conjuring”). The plot centers around a character named Dr. David Marrow, who persuades others to stay in an eerie mansion, claiming it’s for a sleep study. In actuality, he’s conducting a fear study.
It Was Heavily Criticized in Comparison to the 1963 Film
Despite some unsettling moments and an occasionally compelling ambiance, the movie failed to live up to its potential, considering its impressive concept and skilled actors. Ultimately, it garnered largely unfavorable opinions and faced severe criticism, particularly when compared to its meticulously managed predecessor from the 1960s.
As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the visual spectacle of this production, despite its heavy reliance on computer-generated imagery (CGI). Given the era when CGI was still relatively new, audiences were understandably dazzled by some of the special effects scenes. However, as a story, it fell flat, failing to live up to its true potential.
4 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
In 2012, the fifth installment of the franchise, titled “Resident Evil: Retribution,” was unveiled. This film is connected to a series of video games as well. Under the guidance of director Paul W.S. Anderson, Milla Jovovich reprised her role as Alice, a character who had been a fan favorite since the previous movie. In this storyline, Alice finds herself captured by the Umbrella Corporation; however, she eventually allies with the resistance to combat not only the Umbrella Corporation but also the iconic zombies that are synonymous with the franchise.
It Never Even Tried for a Good Story
The movie garnered acclaim for its stunning 3D graphics, impressive fight sequences, and consistently well-crafted zombies and monsters, making it a visually captivating experience. However, it faced severe criticism for its weak narrative that seemed more focused on delivering excitement rather than constructing a coherent storyline, ultimately resulting in a critical score of 28%.
3 Imaginary (2024)
Read Our Review
In the 2024 release titled “Imaginary”, DeWanda Wise portrays Jessica, a stepmother who visits her childhood home together with her two step-daughters when their father is traveling. Upon arrival, the youngest step-daughter discovers a teddy bear named Chauncey. However, as time passes, Alice’s behavior becomes questionable as it becomes evident that Chauncey is not an ordinary toy for kids.
A Wonderfully Imaginative World
In keeping with its title, the movie creates captivatingly creative realms as the bear is intertwined with Jessica’s chilling past. Although produced by Blumhouse, known for horror productions, it received harsh criticism, achieving just a 24% critical rating. Nevertheless, these elements imbued the film with some spine-tingling and quite disconcerting qualities.
Ultimately, the film received harsh criticism from both professional reviewers and social media platforms, leaving little chance for its salvation.
2 House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Drawing inspiration from the ’50s psychological horror movie “House on Haunted Hill,” the revamped version showcases an array of talented actors such as Geoffrey Rush, Famke Jannsen, and Taye Diggs. In this remake, Rush and Jannsen portray a quirky married couple who extend invitations for people to stay in a haunted asylum. The catch is, they’ll receive a million dollars if they can endure it. Initially eager, the participants soon find themselves confronted with various bizarre and frightening incidents of an unexplained nature.
It Was Visually Pleasing but Mostly a Disappointment
As a cinephile, I must admit that while this movie showcased an innovative blend of early CGI and clever camerawork to build suspense and scares, it didn’t quite live up to the grandeur of its predecessor. Critics often pointed out that it missed the mark compared to the original. Yet, despite its flaws, the film managed to captivate audiences enough to develop a cult following and even sparked a sequel in 2007 titled “Return to House on Haunted Hill.
1 The Devil Inside (2012)
While it was a somewhat haunting film, The Devil Inside never lived up to the hype it came with. As a found footage horror, it certainly did have its jarring moments, though this was more on account of how cleverly the effects for those scenes were done. Starring Fernanda Andrade as Isabella Rossi, it followed her as she made a documentary about the exorcism performed on her mother that left her in an asylum and three people murdered. As she investigates the past, strange occurrences and harrowing truths come to light.
A Twisty and Nervy Film
The movie maintained an eerie tone due to its handheld footage style, yet it failed to push boundaries or stand out in any significant way. In essence, it remained predictable and uninspired, earning a dismal 6% critical approval rating. Nevertheless, the film’s special effects were impressive and impactful, but unfortunately, even these couldn’t shield it from harsh criticism. John Patterson’s review for The Guardian encapsulated this sentiment perfectly.
As a cinephile, I must admit, this film is truly atrocious. Not the kind of terrible that’s somehow entertaining or has a hidden charm. No, it’s the sort of awful that tarnishes the very concept of poor cinema.
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2024-09-22 06:02