I figured since a lot of people seem to have Netflix Instant Watch, I’d start reviewing films I’ve seen on there that you can put into your queue and enjoy—or not (depending on how good the movie was). Even if you don’t have Netflix Instant Watch, you might want to check out these movies on your own.
Today’s review is the movie “Them” which takes place in Romania. It has English subtitles. It was touted as being based a true incident of some youths in Europe, but the “true” story is far from this movie.
The gist of the movie is a couple who live in the countryside in a remote estate. One evening, a group of hooded young assailants begin to torment them like a pack of stray dogs. First, their car is stolen, then their lines cut to the house. The torment reaches a fevered pitch. It is truly a tense and atmospheric movie. The setting is ideal. The crazy bad guys are creepy enough to make you want to turn on a light or look behind you. At times, I felt as if I were there being chased with them. It keeps you wondering what you would do.
I give it high scores for the setting. The location was creepy and the big old estate was under renovation, so it created some very nasty dark and scary places to hide. The dark woods were also very eerie, as are the underground tunnels. Yes, this movie takes you to lots of dark places in the human mind and an ancient countryside. Sound was used a good deal to terrify, as it would in a haunted location. The same sort of wonder what and wear the source of the sound is coming from. This movie will keep you wound very tightly. The first 20 minutes are slow but once they start getting tormented, this couple is in for it. There’s not a lot of dialogue at all, so don’t worry about having to read the subtitles.
I have to admit, it was so good on atmosphere and sound effects and background music, that I kept it playing a second time while I worked on my horror writing on my laptop.
This trapped-in-the-house-strangers-tormenting-you theme is similar to these movies; “The Strangers,” “When a stranger calls,” “Labyrinth,” “Black Christmas,” “Halloween.” It’s probably most like “The Strangers” with Liv Tyler.
I promise you, you won’t want to stay home alone after seeing this movie.