IR Film Review: BARBARIAN [20th Century Studios]
The context of horror depends on expectation and what one thinks of the path going in. With "Barbarian", even with the influx of how the trailers built the film up, it is about the misdirect and perspective of the audience. But the idea revolves in how it plays out. This usually has to do with structure and the intensity of what the reveal is. New Regency as a company (after all they made "Fight Club") knows the importance of this but also in remaining relevant. Georgina Campbell (as Tess) is the perspective through which the audience enters the film as she has traveled to Detroit for a job interview and is staying at an AirBnB which also has been booked simultaneously by Keith [Bill Skarsgard]. This casting of course is key since he played Pennywise and this is also made by one of the producers of "It". That structure barrels the idea through but then, like many interesting thrillers lately and classically, it is balanced by certain resets.
Justin Long enters at one point as a disavowed actor of sorts (AJ) who also has the connection to this specific area of Detroit. While all these approaches work well in their own way if not within a sense of foreboding (some better than others), it is a flashback told in a completely different style which is by far the most awesome in feel and tone. It is hard to describe it but it is very simple using an interesting but tried and true actor and a certain ratio. There is actually a misdirect even within that with the antagonist (as it is). The reasoning and build of what the angle of this film is actually is becomes a little flimsy towards the end but it is rooted in the idea of perspective and self worth. "Barbarian" is a bit of an oxymoron in its context because it speaks to ancient lore but also to a modern disconnect that isolates certain victims. Ironically though in the age of technology, these perspectives make the act of victimizing even more dynamic because it is all about how things are seen, either within one's mind or even those coming to the rescue. B-
By Tim Wassberg
