Regression

It’s impossible to write much about Amenábar’s new thriller without spoilers. During the story I was truly surprised that an A-list director with an A-list cast has made such a B-movie - a trashy Satanist tale where much of the (to be fair, not insignificant) fun lies in comparing the intended effects of each scene with their real effects. It’s a lot of fun, really, and a horror guilty-pleasure for the most part, because I actually like this type of clichéd silliness with Satanist cults, rituals, etc. But in the end it breaks down, though not nearly enough for Regression to suddenly become a smart film, but too much for me to keep on making contemptuous fun of it. So nothing, basically. Maybe 60%, but it could move either way. (23/01/2016)

Amenábar certainly has the ability to direct better films, as he has demonstrated to us several times. However, on the other hand, this really isn't as bad as some people say it is. You just have to accept its more lowbrow style and not expect something that completely changes the genre, or leaves you breathless at the end like The Others. That's just not the case here. But the game with the human mind and what is reality and what isn't is still presented well here. (25/01/2016)