juan casado y barton
Found this on Netflix, having no prior knowledge of what it was about, I saw that two of the leads from "The Visit," who I thought did well in an otherwise mediocre film, were starring. So, with little expectation, and fully prepared to switch to Archer at a moment's notice, I turned it on. Better Watch Out lies about everything. I don't even think the name is appropriate for the title. That title conjures up ideas of Santa Claus going on a rampage, or clueless teens getting their comeuppance for past transgressions. Bizarrely, Better Watch Out, upon finishing the film, I noticed, doesn't actually even try to hide what is about to transpire and that's what makes it so good. Young Ashley is about to go off to college and takes on one last night of babysitting her favourite charge, Luke. Unbeknownst to Ashley, Luke and his best friend, Garrett, have planned to get Luke laid in the most immature way possible (seduce the babysitter with a horror movie and some moet chandon). Not only that, but her current beau is picking fights with her over the phone and her ex has been spreading some vicious rumours. She's in for a rough night. Things get far worse when she receives prank calls, and before you can say "When a Stranger Calls," she and Luke are running for their lives, trying to evade a psycho whose motive remains completely absent, but makes good on his threat to kill anyone who leaves the house. At this point, I was prepared to continue for the cast, only, because all three leads are adorable and cute, even as the situation becomes stale and predictable. Then, and I can't stress this enough, things got switched up. Things, which already seemed pretty bad, get worse in a way that is so difficult to comprehend, I spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out what sort of film I was actually watching. What appears to be an innocent act quickly spirals into one of utter depravity and filth, something I've not seen, ever, in a mainstream horror. Even as my brain was trying to catch up, I kept thinking "Surely this is a mistake, things can be fixed, right?"Better Watch Out pays homage to a vast variety of horror directors, from Michael Hanneke to Joe Dante. There's a cloyingly sweet Home Alone feel to the proceedings, with a very real reference to that movie's take on self-defense,, that may ruin further viewing of Home Alone at Christmas for any viewer with a queasy stomach. Even as the leads are crumbling to violence and horror, it's hard not to watch them, they're that good. Even the supporting cast give layered performances (Luke's mother and father are comic relief, but there are cracks under the suburban happiness) and not since "Orphan" have I seen a child actor carry a horror on their shoulders.There are some misgivings. I found it hard to believe the complicity involving certain characters, and I assume that it is just their way of coping with trauma, but I didn't believe that there'd be as much support for what occurs between those stuck in the house. Furthermore, two of the main cast are playing 12 year olds which is disturbing enough as it is, yet is further compounded by the fact the babysitter looks younger than them. It's difficult to believe there'd be such penchant for violence (physical, sexual, emotional and mental) against and perpetrated by 12 year olds.Thankfully, the whole thing moves so fast that you barely have time to register one horrific reveal before another nasty, twisted little cut has been inflicted. It's a marvel for horror fans and, for me, will be an excellent addition to my annual christmas horror show!
miraclejoy524
While this movie has its flaws like any other in its genre... for one to say that it isn't exceptional is just ridiculous.
Filmmakers drop hints in the beginning leading to the dreaded conclusion that we're dealing with a modern day Norman Bates.
The beautiful, yet cold and just overbearing enough mother...the way she emasculates her husband at Christmastime lets us know we're to draw our own conclusions about what she's like the rest of the year. The womb machine... Yikes.. It's actually very sad when you think about it: having a mother like that, throw in some serious mental instability with a dash of spoiled privilege and you get our antagonist-a young boy driven to madness at the idea of losing the only person who shows him any affection. "You were never gonna let me go, were you..?" That poor girl's fate was sealed the moment she told that family she planned to move away...
The acting is also very impressive...
This movie is heartbreaking and terrifying on so many levels.
For those saying "...it's not funny"... well no duh. There's nothing funny about people being lured to their deaths, their only crime being, they had the audacity to touch a psychopath's obsession (as Garrett learned).
However, seeing said psychopath greeting carolers with hot chocolate all while horror lies on the other side of the door is kind of funny..
Seeing his petite frame dance around in a Christmas sweater...is kind of funny..
Being reminded that this monster is a baby every time his voice cracks...is also kind of funny.
I'm impressed with the fact that I was still shaken a full 24 hours after watching this... It does its job, getting into one's head, making me second guess so many seemingly open and shut murder cases...wondering if we'd been duped by a Harry Houdini of getting out of things...
And sure, Luke was infuriating, making the movie so difficult to watch at times.. but isn't that what we want in our horror villains..?
Very rarely does a movie end leaving me staring at the screen wishing for more... I wanted to see some justice man!! However, I love and respect it for leaving us hanging.
I love and respect it for basically reminding us to never stop hugging our kids and watch who we trust.
Oh, and anyone who thinks this is too far fetched to be taken seriously has obviously never watched an episode of Killer Kids. These sort of atrocities have been happening for decades!
