The most common thing I’ve heard people say about the new horror film Barbarian is, “go in knowing nothing about it.” This is good advice, but it makes my job as a reviewer very difficult. I want to convince people to go see this magnificent, surprising, weird, disgusting movie, but I don’t want anyone to read this who hasn’t already seen it. So, I’ll do my best to be as vague yet enticing as possible, a carnival barker guiding you into a tent of wonders without giving away the show.
It’s not that Barbarian is so innovative or so unique that knowledge of it diminish its thrills (though there are many unforeseen, shall we say, developments). And it’s not reliant on sweaty plot twists or reveals either. No, Barbarian is just a clockwork of tension and relief, and knowing all the moving parts is like explaining how a magic trick is done. Each scene builds upon the last, building and building the tension until you almost can’t take it anymore. And then comes the relief. And then, again, the tension slowly builds.
Writer/director Zach Cregger’s background is in the comedy troupe and series The Whitest Kids U’Know, and, like Jordan Peele, years of honing his comedic timing translates perfectly to his first horror film. The trailers proclaim Barbarian to be one of the scariest movies in years, and it is, but don’t let that fool you. It’s also very funny.
It’s hard to talk about the actors in the film without talking about their characters, and thus giving away plot points, but suffice it to say, they are all great. Georgina Campbell plays Tess, imbuing her with intelligence and strength while also keeping her grounded and human. Bill Skarsgård—Pennywise in It (2017)—is perfect stunt casting as Keith, who might be a creep or might just be awkward. And Justin Long, as A. J., plays a verifiable creep very well for an actor who seems the opposite.
Honestly, Barbarian came out of left field. It’s meticulously if unconventionally structured, beautifully shot, unnervingly scored, and is both scarier and funnier than it has any right to be, as well as helmed by a relative unknown (at least in the horror world). Oh, and it also doesn’t shy away from being utterly gross and disgusting at times, so fair warning.
Anecdotally, however, it’s not for everyone. After seeing the movie, the audience was stopped outside the theater to fill out a survey. One guy asked, “Why, so we can tell them it’s the worst horror movie ever?” This took me aback, as I was delighted to fill out a glowing review, still high off of what might be the best music drop during closing credits ever. So I said, “I’ve always wanted to poll an audience after a movie but never had an opportunity like this. We know you didn’t like it, but what did everyone else think?” I expected more of the same response. The film does get pretty weird. Then a guy to the right of me said, “I actually kind of liked it.” “Me too,” said a guy to my left. “Cool, yeah, me too. I really liked it.” I said, my tension once again relieved.
