HALLOWEEN HORROR DAYS ~ DAY 7: HORNS (2013)

Horror movies take on all shapes and sizes and the narratives run the gamut of stories from comedies to romances to true crime and science fiction. It's one of the strengths of the genre. Horror movies are so versatile, more so than any other genre I think. You never know just what you're going to get. This was true back in the 1930's and it is even more punctuated today. If anything genres are being phased out of today's films. We have vampire films and werewolf films that are more romances than horror. We have science fiction films that are academy award worthy dramas. Storytelling nowadays has been opened up to far more possibilities than any other era.

Some may argue with me about the genre of this film but after watching it I'd say without a doubt it is a horror film among a romance, thriller, and murder mystery. HORNS stars Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Joe Anderson, and James Remar. Directed by Alexandre Aja, Horns tells a compelling story about young love, loss, and revenge. It's a horror film for people who don't like horror films. Director Aja is no stranger to horror films and has done many successful films in the genre. Here, even though it's still technically a horror film, Aja shows that he has a lot more to offer the cinema world than just blood and guts. But of course there's still blood and guts in Horns.

THE PLOT

Ig Perrish and Merrin Williams were sweethearts since they were kids. No couple seemed more in love than those two did. So why did Ig kill Merrin? That's what everybody in town is wondering. But Ig didn't kill her, at least that's the story he's been telling everyone and so far not a single soul believes him. Not only are their accusations tearing him up on the inside, but knowing that the real killer is still out there is nearly unbearable. He truly did love her and being without her is killing him. All that's left for him is the hope that new evidence will turn up and vindicate him in the eyes of everyone. One night Ig overhears the people of his town talking at a wake for Merrin. Their cruel words feel like daggers in his heart.

After they all leave he comes out of hiding, shatters a small statue of the Virgin Mary, and pisses all over the vigil display. He screams at God wondering why he would allow such cruelty. The next morning Ig wakes from his drunken stupor and finds two horn like protrusions coming out of his forehead. He starts freaking out but everyone one he shows the horns to seems calm as can be. In fact, everyone seems so relaxed around him they begin telling him their darkest secrets and vilest desires. As the horns continue to grow the secrets being told to him grow worse and worse and soon Ig discovers he can command them to do anything he wants. Dark secrets start coming out about Merrin's murder. Ig sets out to uncover the secrets behind Merrin's death and ultimately find her killer.

THE GOOD

The movie begins grounded in reality. You feel for Daniel Radcliffe's character. And then the supernatural side of the story presents itself. It starts off light and slow, just enough to draw you in and keep you from being taken out of the movie. This works very well and keeps you interested. The supernatural elements grow along with the horns as the movie progresses. As Iggy develops the powers of the horns the story gets better and better. You wonder whose bad and whose good. The plot leads in one direction only to steer you away in another. I guess to sum it all up, the strongest point of this movie is in the narrative. I guess it helps a lot that this movie was based off the book by Joe Hill.

It's just cool seeing the horns grow and what they can do. It inspires thoughts of devils and what the powers of the devil really are. But then this movie flips the concept on its head. The guy who looks like the devil is actually the good guy and the handsome friend is really the bad guy. I love stories like this, always have since I was young. The effects of the horns are good too. But then at the end of the movie the filmmakers go all out and transform Daniel Radcliffe into a full on devil! Iggy gores the bad guy on his horns and then summons up snakes to finish him off. It is easily the best moment in the movie and totally worth the watch.

THE BAD

Much of the story is delivered through flashbacks. I have no problem with this narrative device. But many of the flashbacks go on for quite some time, so long in fact that they draw you in too far and take you out of the present. You forget where you left off before the flashback. It's just my opinion but the flashbacks sometimes run too long, not all of them but enough of them. And then there's Daniel Radcliffe's American accent. It's pretty good most of the movie but it slips here and there. Really that is very minor complaint.

My biggest complaint would be the villain. I have no problem buying the jealous lover bit nor the accidental murder bit. What seems really off is how he goes from a seemingly sane individual to a psycho murderer in the final act. It just seems like bad writing. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind upping the body count and it makes for a great climax. But it just doesn't gel with how the character was built up through the rest of the film.

THE VERDICT

The concept behind this movie is weird to say the least but Alexandre Aja executes it flawlessly. Not only is the murder mystery plot compelling but when Aja throws in the supernatural aspect the film goes from standard thriller/mystery to something truly special. The actors do a fantastic job and the story goes in enough twists and turns to keep you watching. The special effects are wonderful and the climax of the movie makes everything worth it. Horns is a wonderful story and great blend of genres. It's currently available on Netflix for streaming so I urge you all to give it a try. I look forward to more films from Alexandre Aja. So far I've enjoyed nearly all of his movies.

Overall Ranking: 6 out of 10

Nude-O-Meter: 2 out of 10