Don’t miss out if you appreciate quality low-budget horrors! Every year in the world of cinema breeds a huge number of different low-budget horror films. Most of these products are ordinary trash. But there are cases when a small budget, an unknown studio, unfamiliar actors and even more so a director can create a really frightening and penetrating spectacle. And the picture of the American-Canadian production of “Barricades” is just that successful exception to the rule.
The plot of the picture develops dynamically and without sagging. The beginning of the picture is slightly discouraging, since at one time the main character of the film, psychiatrist Terence Shade, talks nicely in the house with his wife, and a moment later we are transferred to a year ahead and learn that an unexpected tragedy happened and his wife died. Next, we follow Terrence with his daughter and son, who go to Christmas in the snow-covered forest house, which wanted to take their mother and which rested as a child, but did not have time. And now away from civilization around a cute and cozy building and begin to happen terrible things: faceless silhouettes wander under the windows, noise is heard from everywhere, and most importantly – surprisingly accurately conveyed atmosphere of uncertainty and complete lack of help.
The film has three main characters. This is Father Terrence and the children Cynthia and Jake. The director professionally conveyed the relationship within their now incomplete family and showed that the warmth of the relationship from loss only increases, and the man will do everything for his heirs, even at the cost of his life. It is also a beautiful place lost in the snow. In the course of the plot, we see that Terrence has already prepared in advance for Christmas and brought here a chic tree, gifts, and a lot of harmful, but tasty food. These are all small things, but they brilliantly convey the atmosphere of relationships and events. Well, when after a perfect evening begins endless horror around the house, even the viewer gets to the bone.
The film almost without flaws shows the plight of people who are stuck away from civilization in a snowstorm. camera work at the highest level, and endless snow and beautiful wildlife scenery in themselves are fascinating. But their beauty the authors of the film well shaded by unknown visitors and a natural play of actors. By the way, we should especially praise the child actors. Although this project is low-budget, the young heroes coped with their characters and they wanted to really empathize. And this happens less and less in this genre.
The denouement of the picture is somewhat trivial for all connoisseurs of such a movie. Although at the very end, when the camera covers the rooms of the now lonely house, we are given a slight hint that perhaps everything is not as simple as it seems. But this is just for our entertainment and independent analysis of what is happening.
The film did not deserve the highest marks, but it is an excellent representative of independent cinema in the horror genre. You can definitely recommend it.
8 out of 10