If you read my blog on a regular basis you might recall that I have mentioned a few times how I enjoy horror movies. I usually jump on any review opportunity to review horror movies, as well as other genres.
Available today on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download is the foreign horror film Goodnight Mommy.
Normally I don’t review movie with subtitles. I don’t like to have to read what I am watching, however there was something about this film that piqued my interest. Check out the trailer (below) and you’ll see why the film looked interesting.
When I received a review copy of the film is came with a giant roach. What an interesting accessory to accompany a film. Once I saw the film I realized the connection.
I wouldn’t call this film a “horror” flick. I would consider it more a suspenseful drama.
Goodnight Mommy is a story about twin boys, Elias and Lukas who are seen frolicking in the cornfield near their home in the opening sequence. Shortly thereafter their mother returns home. She had been in the hospital and had surgery on her face. Viewers cannot see what she really looks like because her entire face is bandaged.
The boys are excited that their mom is home but it quickly becomes apparent to them that there is something different about her. Instead of being the fun-loving, happy mother they grew up with, their mom is now cranky, prefers to stay inside and keep the curtains closed and set up new rules for the house that didn’t sit well with the boys.
Another thing the boys notice is that their mother refuses to acknowledge Lukas. She won’t talk to him, prepare him dinner or reprimand him – ONLY Elias. That is another reason why the boys refuse to believe the lady living in the home with them is really their mother. Their mother wouldn’t ignore Lukas.
Things come to a head and the boys want to find out what happened to their mother once and for all. They “capture” the women and tie her to her bed – demanding to know where their real mother is. The woman continues to insist that she is their real mother.
Instead of the mother being the creepy, scary person in this film it soon becomes apparent that the boys are the scary ones. They torture the women including gluing her mouth shut.
When the women tries to escape the boys set up a trap to prevent her from leaving the home, causing her to fall and get knocked unconscious. When she awakens she finds her eyes glued shut with candle wax, and the boys have her stuck to the floor in the living room.
The boys want to know once and for all where their real mother is – or else?
Will the boys find their real mother? Is the woman truly their mom? To find out you need to pick up a copy of Goodnight Mommy. Look for it where ever movies are sold.
As much as I am not a fan of subtitled movies, I have to say that this one wasn’t so bad. There was actually very little dialoge. The film relied heavily on the way the film was shot. Camera angles, focus, framing… a variety of camera techniques and editing were used to create this story – more so than the dialogue.
The film was a bit slow at times, but it’s one of those films that no matter what you want to watch it to the very end to find out what happens. And trust me – you will NEVER guess the ending. I was totally surprised. I found myself talking to my television asking is “What just happened?”
If I had to describe this film in one word I’d say “WEIRD.”
There is some brief nudity in this film and several incidences of violence. It’s NOT a family friendly film.
There is a bonus feature which is basically an interview with the filmmakers.
What do you think about this film? Does it sound like (or look like – if you saw the trailer) a film you would be interested in?
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.