Cal

There’s so much I loved about this. What really impressed me is how the tension comes from actual filmmaking instead of relying on cheap modern horror tricks. The editing, lighting, blocking, pacing, all of it works together so well to create this suffocating atmosphere that just keeps getting more intense as it goes on. The sound design and synth score are incredible too, especially with the way the movie abruptly cuts into silence at certain moments. It genuinely got under my skin. Inde Navarrette is absolutely the standout here. The entire movie depends on her performance landing and she completely carries it. She’s terrifying, vulnerable, funny, and emotionally exhausting all at once. One of the best horror performances I’ve seen in a while honestly. I also really appreciated that the movie wasn’t afraid to get nasty and uncomfortable with its premise. It constantly traps you inside Bear’s perspective while still making you feel disgusted by his actions, which creates this really uneasy tension throughout. Some of the scariest moments are honestly the brief glimpses into Nikki’s experience and what this all actually feels like for her. The premise was already great, but the execution is what really made it work for me. It could’ve fallen into so many predictable horror tropes and instead it takes a lot of bold swings that mostly pay off. One of the best horror films I’ve seen in a long time and easily a standout directorial debut. This is definitely going to stick with me.

Weird how the screen got all blurry in the last 20 minutes. Oh little George, you pure thing.

The audio work in this is genuinely incredible and completely carries the tension at points. It’s the kind of movie where every little sound matters, and the editing ties everything together so well. I also really liked the story and the overall style of it. Just a really well put together thriller.

This really is peak Miyazaki for me. Every time I watch it I’m reminded how rare it is for a fantasy story this epic to feel so human and emotionally complicated at the same time. What makes it so special is that it refuses to fall into simple good versus evil storytelling. San and Lady Eboshi are both such layered, fascinating characters, and the movie never tries to completely villainize either of them. Everyone is fighting for something they believe in, even when it comes at a terrible cost. The way it balances all of those perspectives while still being visually breathtaking is kind of unreal. I honestly think it’s about as close to flawless as fantasy films get.