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Review: ‘Look Away’ Has Strong Ideas, But Loses Sight of its Identity

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Look Away

Written and directed by Assaf Bernstein (Fauda, The Debt), Look Away follows a timid social outcast, Maria (India Eisley, Underworld Awakening), who is constantly degraded by her peers at school. Her own father regularly chastises her social habits and appearance with no thought as to how it could negatively affect her.

Maria gets little support from her chronically depressed mother, Amy (Mira Sorvino, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion), or her childhood best friend, who seems to see Maria as more of a burden than a bestie.

During an emotional high point of teenage drama, Maria discovers that her mirror image is an independent, sentient being who calls herself Airam. Airam convinces Maria that if they switch places, Airam can solve all of her problems.

Of course, it’s never that simple.

Airam takes the lead on Maria’s life, seducing, hurting, and killing as she pleases. She’s driven purely by her base desires and she’s in no rush to give up control.

via IMDb

Right from the beginning of the film, Maria is regularly bullied by a group of rowdy teenage boys who are determined to publicly embarrass her at every turn. But, admittedly, there’s something about the casting of a conventionally beautiful actress in the role of Maria that makes the whole thing fall a bit flat.

We feel true, relatable sympathy for Maria when she faces passive-aggressive criticism from her own parents. Her father, Dan (Jason Isaacs, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), needles at her confidence as her mother tries too hard to stay positive. Both are harmful in their own way, and both parents are earnestly unaware of how their efforts are more harmful than helpful.

via IMDb

All this is to say that, yes, Maria is in a crummy situation, but, she gives up her power to grow stronger by handing the reins over to a sinister wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Maria tries to hide from her pain, much in the way that Amy completely shuts down in the depths of her depression and willfully ignores her husband’s infidelity. They both choose to “look away” from the things that hurt them, but this doesn’t stop the pain from being there.

via IMDb

At its roots, this is actually a pretty interesting concept to explore. And perhaps because the stakes for Maria weren’t particularly high to begin with, this adds to the tragedy of the inevitably violent outcome.

At different points through the film, the role of the villain is filled more by Maria’s father than Airam. Dan is not a violent man, but his passive, judgmental, dismissive nature does lasting harm. Airam crashes like a wave, leaving destruction in her path. Dan is the rising flood that causes long-term damage, drowning those who cannot to move to higher ground.

That element of the film is one of its strongest, yet it is not explored as much as it should be. It’s a planted idea that doesn’t get enough attention to fully bloom.

via IMDb

There’s untapped potential with the finale as well. The somewhat ambiguous ending leans on symbolism and stylized camerawork to provide a conclusion. This is in no way a bad thing, but its execution is not particularly satisfying. Perhaps it just feels out of place, given the fairly conventional way that the rest of the film is shot.

If there were more dramatically stylized shots throughout the film, this final take would provide an excellent guided point of emphasis. But as an isolated effect, it’s more of a distraction.

Look Away is a decent teen horror with a sharp dramatic edge, however, these elements tend to clash with some of the film’s more mature ambitions. As a whole, it has some great ideas in the air, but fails to really stick the landing.

“Look Away” is now available On Demand.

For more memorable moments in horror cinema, check out our list of our Top 5 Chilling Moments With Iconic Villains

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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