On her wedding night, a bride must play a sinister family tradition game as part of an initiation.
The line between horror and comedy hangs in the balance. How much of each is needed to scare people and make them laugh? But then, what kind of humour does one use against the gore? And what if it is psychological? These questions, and more, have no definite answers. Script, directing, editing, and acting must work like a Swiss watch to evoke both feelings. I know that this applies to every genre, but the emotions here are antithetical, and I guess that makes, as I said, the balance delicate.
Everyone plays their part brilliantly. Besides Samara Weaving, who deserves every win for playing Grace, Nicky Guadagni, as the deranged aunt Helene, is bloody hilarious. The script is tight, maintaining that “delicacy,” and the duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett do an incredible job behind the camera. Other than the upcoming Scream (2022), they are also responsible for the “10/31/98” V/H/S (2012) segment and Southbound (2015), which I will watch again and review straight away.
Very interestingly, Weaving plays the reversal of her role in The Babysitter (2017). Now that I’ve seen her on both sides of the fence, as prayer and prey, respectively, I can say with certainty that, other than an impressive woman, she is also an impressive actress. She’s been in two of my favourite horror/comedies that I’ve seen in recent years. She’ll be an even more sought-after actress as the years pass by.
Bloody gore, naive fatalities, fancy costumes, hilarious profanity, surrealistic family complexities, and limitless buffoonery will keep you entertained for an hour and a half, offering an escape from what you see on the news every day.
Please, don’t forget to share and subscribe. If you enjoy my work and dedication to films, please feel free to support me on https://www.patreon.com/kaygazpro. Any contribution is much appreciated and valued.
Solidarity for all the innocent lives who suffer the atrocities of war!
Stay safe!
