Can modern horror be good? If 2021’s “Separation” is the template, the answer is a resounding no.
The story is cliché. The acting is suspect. The editing is noticeably poor. And the director; William Brent Bell, has a resume that’s already chock full of stinkers. Add this to the mix.
The first act is good.
I was invested in the characters. Jeff (Rupert Friend) is an out of work artist. He rides the coattails of successful wife (Mamie Gummer) and loves his young daughter (Violet McGraw). The opening portion of the story is sad, and you’ll feel for the Jeff character as he goes about his world trying to be successful. In fact, you’ll forget its supposed to be a horror movie. Until…
Jeff was a successful comic book artists, and has a legion of creepy characters scattered around the house that he created. The wife files for divorce, shit happens. The end.
“Separation” tries to be artsy in its messages in a way that reminded me of “The Babadook.” Unlike that film however, the horror here is laughable. We get some cool looking creepy puppets, but the scares aren’t earned. It’s as if the production found sinister looking dolls and crafted a movie around them. Horror takes place during dream sequences. Nothing makes sense.
The acting is whatever. Friend is fine. Gummer, who I later discovered is the daughter of Meryl Streep – is fine. The score is intrusive – it doesn’t let the scenes breath. And there are a number of editing mistakes so obvious even an untrained eye can spot them. And the ending is so stupid. From the supposed “twist” to the concluding finish. There is literally no point at all to the entire production.
I didn’t want to write a review for this since there isn’t anything else to say. It was planned for #31DaysofHalloween but it doesn’t deserve that honor. It’s an awful movie. I wasted .49 cents on the rental. Save your money – and your precious October film time and don’t bother with this.
“Separation” is available to rent on Amazon.
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