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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I Really Wanted To Like This...
I loves me some horror and I'm an absolute sucker for a audio play, so with this, the cast, and how much fun I had with other schlocky (complimentary) Audible Originals, like Impact Winter, I thought this was practically made for me. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get on with it and DNF'd about 2/3-3/4 of the way through. I think the combination of it not feeling like it had much point or depth, which admittedly isn't always necessary for horror, but when a really gross misogynistic portrayal of 'promiscuous young women', including the calculated abusive use of fake sexual assault allegations, not to mention the casual sexual assault of a young man by one of these girls, became prevalent I needed something else. It's hardly surprising this story comes from a cult, but very mixed received movie from the seventies, and I am surprised more wasn't done to address the glaring issues in the original text. My own personal triggers around bullying and aural, but not emotional discomfort of the way screaming and other sound effects are mixed in this (turned up to 11 out of nowhere), also made the listening rather unpleasant.
I understand that Gatiss sees this story as an seminal work of folk horror, and maybe it is, but stories and attitudes have moved on from 'Something sinister happening in a unassuming place', or at least this concept needs to be elevated by the quality of the piece or whatever additional element added to it, as with things like Twin Peaks, The Witch, Apostle, Men, etc. Also, the misogyny should never have been acceptable and absolutely shouldn't be presented without something more in modern adaptations in my opinion.
The cast is great and, besides some issues with sound effects and varying degrees of appropriate cheesyness, is chock full of folx I normally really enjoy. I'm kinda gutted that this was such a miss for me.
I loves me some horror and I'm an absolute sucker for a audio play, so with this, the cast, and how much fun I had with other schlocky (complimentary) Audible Originals, like Impact Winter, I thought this was practically made for me. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get on with it and DNF'd about 2/3-3/4 of the way through. I think the combination of it not feeling like it had much point or depth, which admittedly isn't always necessary for horror, but when a really gross misogynistic portrayal of 'promiscuous young women', including the calculated abusive use of fake sexual assault allegations, not to mention the casual sexual assault of a young man by one of these girls, became prevalent I needed something else. It's hardly surprising this story comes from a cult, but very mixed received movie from the seventies, and I am surprised more wasn't done to address the glaring issues in the original text. My own personal triggers around bullying and aural, but not emotional discomfort of the way screaming and other sound effects are mixed in this (turned up to 11 out of nowhere), also made the listening rather unpleasant.
I understand that Gatiss sees this story as an seminal work of folk horror, and maybe it is, but stories and attitudes have moved on from 'Something sinister happening in a unassuming place', or at least this concept needs to be elevated by the quality of the piece or whatever additional element added to it, as with things like Twin Peaks, The Witch, Apostle, Men, etc. Also, the misogyny should never have been acceptable and absolutely shouldn't be presented without something more in modern adaptations in my opinion.
The cast is great and, besides some issues with sound effects and varying degrees of appropriate cheesyness, is chock full of folx I normally really enjoy. I'm kinda gutted that this was such a miss for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really enjoyed this production of a classic horror! You can see the story’s influence on a lot of modern films (especially The Witch (Ralph Ineson also has a small part in this which is fantastic)).
- Full of creepy moments and sickening body horror
- Excellent performances
- Works really well as an audio production as it leaves a lot to your imagination
- Atmospheric music and sound effects
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked this book up because it sounded like it would be spooky and dark. The demonic themes are interesting and there are some genuinely shocking moments of horror. However overall I found the books writing style and characters to not be very engaging, or frightening. I also felt like it took much too long to get to the spooky part, which is over very abruptly. I really don’t feel it’s a worthwhile read if your looking for horror.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Love the new life for this folk horror classic, and the production on the book itself is gorgeous
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes