Rating:

A+

Inside is a horror gem. It's one of the few horror films which manages to do everything right and more. Much of the time the ranking given to any horror film is relative and does not usually stand true comparing to other great film outside the genre. For most people a good horror film is considered exactly that, a good horror film and not necessarily a good film overall. My purpose to mention this is to say that Inside is a great film in every aspect and not just a great horror film.





Premise:

Sarah (Alysson Paradis) has lost her husband in a car accident four months ago. She is heavily pregnant and is resting peacefully at her home, the night before her delivery. In the middle of the night a woman (Beatrice Dalle) knocks on the door. She is in distress and wants to use the phone. Sarah refuses to open the door and goes back to bed. But the woman is not gone. She is still there, waiting. She knows about Sarah's personal life and is determined to get inside. She wants her BABY. Soon the silence in the house dissipates and the screams dominate. Chaos, pain and chase for life and death begins.

Review:

Not very often does a debutant achieve the status of a great director but that's what happened with this debutant duo. Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury showed such skill and mastery of the art that it was impossible to not acknowledge their craft as great. They know the art of suspension and restraint. Their magic started from the early stage in script as they are the writers as well. Anyone can have a great concept, an initial idea which is unique and groundbreaking. The true art though is in the pace and the way it's effectively projected. A great setup would depend heavily on the great characters to have that impact. That is what many films lack, the gore and nonsense action is thrown at us without any proper context or believable characters. This shuts our mind and sympathy and we merely wait for another explosion to happen. This film is self aware and too smart to do that mistake. First act is almost entirely bloodless and a slow burner. Sarah goes to hospital for a check-up. She meets her mom and later her employer, who is supposed to take her to hospital next morning. But none of the scenes are boring. They set the mood, develop the characters and has that subtle eeriness to them. It feels like calm before the storm. So, when the action does kick in, it grabs you and doesn't let go. You care for Sarah and you want her to survive. But directors don't waste time by hanging on with your sympathy but rather constantly throw something unexpected. That is great writing, because having one location and two characters limit the ways you can surprise us. But the writers constantly throw twists and turns while keeping the smooth progression and without breaking the overall theme or feel. For instance, the first thing Sarah does when being suspicious of stranger is that she calls the cops. Cops do arrive as well. Her mother visits her too. Let's say that all the actions were very understandable which keeps your sympathy for the protagonist throughout the film. The score was pulse pounding literally. I am not much fun of a background score in the film but when done right, it does escalate the tension. The score here is so eerie and blends with the environment seamlessly. Lightning is another important aspect in the horror films. The use of shadows was brilliant making the dark corners all the more scary. Specially look out for 'something' in the darkness when Sarah is resting on the chair. I do not have enough praise for the leading ladies. Alysson as a vulnerable ordinary woman stuck in the turmoil is brilliant. We care for her and want her to survive and survive she does. Beatrice as the mysterious woman is possibly one of the most cruel and terrifying antagonist in recent memory. The way she stares with unnerving malice sends chills down the spine. The dialogue is minimum and the story is carried wholly by these amazing ladies with their speechless performance.



The film has gore, lots of it. But that's the most justified gore used in a film for years. It works as an art not as a cheap thrill. There is certain poetry in the way Sarah lies on the bed bathed in blood, almost like a corpse, staring into the distance. You will have to see to appreciate the beautifully orchestrated imagery throughout. The contrast of white and red colour in many scenes is striking. This film did put the directors as one of the most promising debutant directors for horror genre. There is no exaggeration in that at all. I will not reveal more plot, my reviews are about why certain film works or doesn't work and what exactly stands out or lacks. The aesthetics and the craft of it. You can read more detailed synopsis on Imdb but I would not recommend that-at all. The film has gore, lots of it. But that's the most justified gore used in a film for years. It works as an art not as a cheap thrill. There is certain poetry in the way Sarah lies on the bed bathed in blood, almost like a corpse, staring into the distance. You will have to see to appreciate the beautifully orchestrated imagery throughout. The contrast of white and red colour in many scenes is striking. This film did put the directors as one of the most promising debutant directors for horror genre. There is no exaggeration in that at all. I will not reveal more plot, my reviews are about why certain film works or doesn't work and what exactly stands out or lacks. The aesthetics and the craft of it. You can read more detailed synopsis on Imdb but I would not recommend that-





Conclusion: