Rating of
3/4
In Fear, for the most part.
Jacob Zembower - wrote on 03/08/14
In Fear has a simple premise, two friends (or possibly more than that) drive to a booked hotel in a rural area, soon tensions rise as they find themselves in a maze unable to escape. Cue red herrings, and intense build up of dread, and perfectly timed gasp inducing scares. The first hour or so is superb, as the viewer are just as lost and unnerved as the protagonists. For a while, In Fear is one of the best horror films to come a long in a while. Proving once again, that it's what you don't see that is more frightening than what you do. Not only that, but for most of the film we are dealing with two actors in a car, and yet the suspense and creep out factor is unbearable at times. Unfortunately, after this solid, palm sweat inducing first act, the film degenerates into a bit a of a mess. Revealing a weaker script than before, leaving more questions than answers (which can be good if done right, but no, this is just a weak script.) The last 20 minutes are so disappointing and sloppy. With an ending that could have been far more impactful if it had been executed better, but once you connect it with the opening credit imagery, it makes sense. Yet, despite the flimsy finale, IN FEAR is 3/4th's of a damn fine psychological horror fest. Topping it off with solid acting, great cinematography, and a creepy sense of foreboding and atmosphere, for genre fans in fear is definitely worth a look. (Rated R- some disturbing violent content and images, terror, and some language.)
