I enjoy atmospheric, visual-driven horror films. Gretel & Hansel delivers both aspects in spades.
After the death of their father and the mental break-down of their mother, Gretel (Sophia Lillis) and her younger brother Hansel find themselves lost and alone. As they wander, a virtuous huntsman directs them to a woodsman's family that will care for them, if they can safely traverse the foreboding forest - which is the abode of a mysterious witch (Alice Krige).
The director of "The Blackcoat's Daughter" and "I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House," Oz Perkins is certainly a fan of scary movies. He's not one to embrace shock value by using cheap jolts, I applaud him for that. Wisely embracing a sinister creep of malevolent forces as they attempt to corrupt the seemingly pure. "Gretel & Hansel is a proper fit for Osgood Perkins, presenting us with a disturbing tale of caution. I very much enjoyed the art-house sensibilities . The visuals are suitably baroque and sinister. Very clever cinematography Oz Perkins adds to his horror films. 'Gretel & Hansel' has Perkins stamp throughout the film. Sophia Lillis made a phenomenal impact with her work in this film she is so talented . Albeit I love a costume period piece , Sophia Lillis missteps not speaking with a foreign accent to match the other lead characters ; the lack of one took me out of the intended period setting. I do not think this would be a huge deal for most it is my pet peeve watching a Period horror flick set in the 1300 century in the Baltic states. The thematically stylistic sense of dread outweighed my slight quibble. Gretel & Hansel is a very stunning film with plenty of visual flourishes and memorable imagery.
The film was very served by South African actress Alice Krige, she was excellent. Perkins bathing in his mood of tight aspect ratio, and his love of Alice Krige, who's handed every opportunity to act her heart out as the wrinkled, black-fingered antagonist witch. "Gretel & Hansel" has its gruesome moments and is worth a watch for the arthouse sensibilities & classic Gothic fiction. I think most fans of the genre will, at the very least, appreciate this film for what it is. 7/10
After the death of their father and the mental break-down of their mother, Gretel (Sophia Lillis) and her younger brother Hansel find themselves lost and alone. As they wander, a virtuous huntsman directs them to a woodsman's family that will care for them, if they can safely traverse the foreboding forest - which is the abode of a mysterious witch (Alice Krige).
The director of "The Blackcoat's Daughter" and "I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House," Oz Perkins is certainly a fan of scary movies. He's not one to embrace shock value by using cheap jolts, I applaud him for that. Wisely embracing a sinister creep of malevolent forces as they attempt to corrupt the seemingly pure. "Gretel & Hansel is a proper fit for Osgood Perkins, presenting us with a disturbing tale of caution. I very much enjoyed the art-house sensibilities . The visuals are suitably baroque and sinister. Very clever cinematography Oz Perkins adds to his horror films. 'Gretel & Hansel' has Perkins stamp throughout the film. Sophia Lillis made a phenomenal impact with her work in this film she is so talented . Albeit I love a costume period piece , Sophia Lillis missteps not speaking with a foreign accent to match the other lead characters ; the lack of one took me out of the intended period setting. I do not think this would be a huge deal for most it is my pet peeve watching a Period horror flick set in the 1300 century in the Baltic states. The thematically stylistic sense of dread outweighed my slight quibble. Gretel & Hansel is a very stunning film with plenty of visual flourishes and memorable imagery.
The film was very served by South African actress Alice Krige, she was excellent. Perkins bathing in his mood of tight aspect ratio, and his love of Alice Krige, who's handed every opportunity to act her heart out as the wrinkled, black-fingered antagonist witch. "Gretel & Hansel" has its gruesome moments and is worth a watch for the arthouse sensibilities & classic Gothic fiction. I think most fans of the genre will, at the very least, appreciate this film for what it is. 7/10