Fall Movie Reviews: Blood, Gore, and Horror Galore

By Cynthia Dominguez, Clarion Staff

Despite reality having enough actual horror in real life this past year, the movie industry decided that we also needed a flood of fictional horror. Throughout summer and fall months, countless horror movies rushed into theaters, preparing moviegoers for the ultimate celebration of horror,  Halloween.

The story revolves around a group of friends who proudly proclaim themselves as the “Losers Club” who live in the small town of Derry, Maine. From abusive parents to startlingly intense bullies, these middle schoolers already struggle through life. These struggles intensify when an immortal child-eating being infests the children’s lives. Taking the form of the children’s worst fears, Pennywise’s past within Derry is soon uncovered and the Losers Club take matters into their own hands.

The original novel, It by Stephen King was written in 1986 and had one adaptation (1990 television mini series) before the film released in summer 2017. The movie undeniably had large shoes to fill (pun totally intended), with not only the critically acclaimed book, but the well-loved mini series. With Rodeo FX taking over visual effects, the same company that handled the effects on movies such as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the movie provides viewers with outstanding horror scenes. The fantastic casting shows through the effective comedic timing, making the movie a well-rounded homage to its former adaptations, and a memorable horror movie in 2017.

The movie takes place in the 1950’s and follows a couple’s grief regarding the death of their daughter which leads them into dangerous interaction with a spirit whom they allow to posses a doll. The couple decides to lock the doll in the former room of their daughter, containing the spirit, allowing them to live peacefully. They later decide to take in six orphan girls who unlock the horrors of the possessed doll and catalyze a series of violent events, eventually leading to the story of the second movie in The Conjuring series.

The film provides a familiar feeling among viewers yet keeps the proper amounts of suspense and jump scares. Annabelle: Creation keeps many familiar aspects of usual supernatural horror while maintaining the cliche scenes to a minimum. Far removed from social commentary like previously mentioned films, Annabelle: Creation allows for an entertaining and all-around fun movie going experience. 

The film focuses on Theresa Gelbman, a college girl who finds herself in a time loop continuously being murdered. She soon realizes the need to uncover the mystery behind her constant murders in order to release herself from the cycle. With the help of classmate, Carter Davis, Theresa begins to slowly learn from all her experiences, not only in avoiding murder and getting herself out of her time loop, but in realizing certain aspects of her life.

The film was one of the most enjoyable horror films due to the play on cliches. Taking common aspects of slasher films and increasing the comedic factor and bringing the script and gore to life with impressive acting and camera work. Although not all cliches could be avoided and not all the scenes flowed cleanly, the movie brought the horror movie season near its end.