Barbarian (2022)

Director: Zach Cregger

Starring: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long

A woman staying at an Airbnb discovers that the house she has rented is not what it seems.

The only way for me to review – and remember – this movie, is to do spoilers, so if you don’t want to know, stop reading.

For me, it felt like the film played in three different parts. The first sees a young woman renting a house. The second introduces us to the house’s owner. The third shows the horrible deeds the original home owner did that lead to the events in the first part.

Georgina Campbell stars as the film’s protagonist, Tess. Arriving at a house she just rented online, she is devastated when she finds the house has been double-booked, and is occupied by Kevin (Bill Skarsgard). Not sure what to do given the circumstances, he offers for her to stay. The house is located in Brightmoor, which is not a good area and almost all the other homes in the area are dilapidated. Predictable movies would have him be the titular barbarian, as I initially thought, but this being an unpredictable movie, it was not the case.

This first part was just as creepy and nerve-wrecking as ‘The Descent’. There was a constant foreboding atmosphere. What evil lurks in the darkness? Well, just like ‘The Descent’, ‘Barbarian’ is about to show you! I so enjoyed this first part, and then suddenly – just when you’re on the edge of your seat biting your nails – BAM!, they cut to a guy driving a sports car, singing along to blaring music. This is AJ (Justin Long), the owner of the house

Immediately, the suspense made way for a much lighter tone – almost comedic – and a guy being accused of rape and the risk of losing everything. His wealth management representative warns him he’ll be out of money within 3 months, so he goes to the house in Brightmoor to sell it. Arriving there, he notices the house is being rented out, without his knowledge. Luckily, the suspense returns when he goes to the basement, where he discovers the secret tunnels.

The third part shows us the house’s previous owner, Frank. He used to abduct women for sexual acts, and kept them locked up in the basement. This, off course, explains the film’s events. I must say I found the cops to be real idiots, and their behaviour unrealistic and almost comic relief stupid.

The creature effects were creepy and very well done. Georgina Campbell delivered a very good performance, and the film ultimately indeed had that ‘The Descent’ feel to it (only, ‘The Descent’ was a far more superior movie). The ending to ‘Barbarian’ reminded me a bit of ‘Mama’. ‘Barbarian’ is a well made movie and I’m sure horror buffs will have a good time with it. In time, I’m just not sure I’m going to associate the movie with its title. Who was the Barbarian? Was it Frank, or was it Mother?

‘Barbarian’ is well worth a watch. The film received 24 award nominations, including Best Horror Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Makeup FX, Best Original Score, Best Editing, to name but a few. At the box office, the film earned $45.4 million on a $4 million budget.

Would I watch it again? I’m not sure. I think I’d rather watch ‘The Descent’.