Audition

Spooky Season '24 - Movie 11/30 This was the first time watching this with someone else. Sorrrrrrrryyyyyyyyy Errrrriiiiiiiiiic. Pure, unadulterated horror. Taking something we try to look away from and showing it in a way that forces us to look at it and shows us what comes of it. Shaming us for looking away. Slowly creeping up your spine, slowly... getting... deeper... I fucking love this movie. (Not completely sure what that says about me lmao). One of the most structurally and aesthetically distinct horror movies out there, even among J-horror, and is possibly my favorite in that aspect. Gorgeous to look at, to listen to, and the way the story is presented is unique enough to keep us peeled without completely losing the sauce. I wish I knew why I connect to this movie as much as I do. With most movies, I know why it hits me the way it does, but not here; it frustrates me. A seamless descent from a grounded, sweet and whimsical romance movie to a gratuitous, violent nightmare that would make Hostel blush. A movie that blends two of my favorite extremes (think April Story that morphs into Terrifier) in a way that makes it feel natural is bound to have my heart, but to do so in a way so full of identity and doing so without losing any momentum is incredible. Miike really is one of the best at making horror feel different from anything else I've seen. I forgot how really sweet and fun to watch the romance part is, and I forgot how completely fucked the final act is, and I can't applaud this enough. Yeah, I think this is my favorite horror movie. Again, I'm not really sure what that says about me, but I'm sticking by it. It definitely won't work for everyone, but it sure as hell worked for me. ~A great date movie!!~ *"Only pain and suffering will make you realize who you are." *