Movie review: See ‘Barbarian’

Viewers can watch “Barbarian” in theaters. (photo by Madison Keel)

By Noah Bowers | Contributor

It’s that time of year again. Get ready for the spooky, scary, screaming movies to be crawling their way into the theaters and streaming services as we get closer to Halloween.

A new horror movie has taken cinemas by storm, and for good reason.

“Barbarian” is the new horror film by Zach Cregger. If you don’t recognize the name, it’s because this is the director’s first venture into horror films. He previously worked on lesser-known comedy movies and shows, much like another highly regarded horror filmmaker, Jordan Peele.

Peele has made a name for himself after the box office success of “Get Out”, which was a terrifying allegory to modern-day racism and its effects on society. Peele has gone on to make multiple films with terror-filled plots that center around a powerful message.

“Barbarian” does just that, providing some of the scariest tension I’ve ever seen, while also cleverly delivering a poignant message on toxic masculinity in today’s world. Cregger’s comedic roots shine through in the characters’ writing as well, giving some genuine laughs in the otherwise claustrophobic, paranoid film.

The cinematography and chilling score do an excellent job in keeping you painfully waiting for the next scare. Each new corner crossed and door creaked open sends your heart rate racing as you, and the characters, desperately look for answers.

The performances by the leads were another pleasant surprise. Their chemistry makes it easy to relate and support them, and the fear that was shown gave me goosebumps.

Perhaps most importantly, the story serves as a fantastic setting for realistic scares with believable characters going through some rather traumatic events.

Cregger’s critique on masculinity comes through clearly, through the unique characters and the origin of the main horror of the movie. It left me thinking about all the ways it was hinted at and spoken about in the movie without me initially realizing; signs of effective writing.

I hope to see more from Cregger in the horror genre, having both him and Peele competing for the most compelling scares means more quality terror for us!

That’s about as much as I can say without giving away too much of the film because this is one that is best experienced blind. No trailers, no Wikipedia summaries, the twists and paranoia of the film are expertly made for an incredibly fun ride that would be hindered by spoilers.

One of the most original and fun horror films I have seen in a long time, and one I highly recommend going to see.

Final Verdict: 4.5/5 Must see it!

Contact Noah Bowers at nbowers@augusta.edu.

This story is published in the Monday, Oct. 3, 2022 print edition of The Bell Ringer on page 5.