Sunday, July 08, 2012

Intruders and Missing the Mark: A Movie Review

*full disclosure: a Blu-Ray screener of this film was provided by Millenium Entertainment.

**here be some minor spoilers.

Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

Writers: Nicolás Casariego and Jaime Marques.

Cast: Clive Owen, Carice van Houten, Daniel Brühl, Pilar López de Ayala and Ella Purnell.

There is a disappointing thought that emerges after watching Intruders: that is it? The script from Nicolás Casariego and Jaime Marques sets up a fairly limp fish, which is mediocre through the second and third acts. The acting from Clive Owen and Carice van Houten is much better than the script. However, the film is hampered by a partially fleshed out story that is mostly lacking in terror.

Casariego and Marques do manage to create some interest with their dual storytelling style. The film begins with Juan (Izán Corchero) and a mysterious figure. This figure wants to steal Juan's face as he feels he has no identity of his own. His mother, Luisa (Pilar López de Ayala), does her best to protect him. She introduces the boy to some priests who see nothing wrong. Eventually, Juan learns to protect himself from the shadows. The second story is similar to the first. Here, Mia (Ella Purnell) is also tormented by a shadowy figure who lives in her closet. Her father, John, (Clive Owen) hopes to also protect her, but Mia must find her own courage. The figure, Hollow Face, thus returns to oblivion.

Readers might want to stop at this point to see the film as a minor spoiler will be revealed here. The two stories are operating on differing timelines. The initial story is set in the past with Juan facing his father. There are Oedipal elements here, as well. The second story is set farther ahead in time with Mia facing a ghost of Juan's past.

There are technically two characters that unify these two timelines: Juan and Hollow Face. Hollow Face is such a tepid villain that he can almost be forgotten. Yet, Juan's story is a little more curious. He is facing the same nightmare in both stories. This reviewer enjoyed this split in timelines and story structure. It creates for an interesting surprise.

Also surprising is the film's lack of tension. Because the villain is so mild, there is only a mediocre conflict at the film's heart. Hollow Face is only able to create some thrills early in act one when his macabre face is kept in shadows. His powerless attacks grow tiresome over time.

The themes within Intruders are also light. The film suggests that protecting children from their own fears is difficult at best. Children must face their own fears. Some of those fears are, of course childish in nature. Mia fears her darkened closet and a man in her dreams. Juan/John can only show her how to stand up for herself; Mia must do the rest.

Thus, Intruders seems like it is a children's film as it highlights children and their fears. Yet, this is a restricted film because of supposed terrifying scenes, nudity and violence. This is not really a film for adults either. The focus on a lackluster antagonist and uninspiring themes keeps Intruders from becoming something truly horrifying. Instead, the film seems to play it safe. In doing so, many viewers will not be happy with a viewing of this film.

Intruders is a mild-mannered thriller. This film does not dig deep enough into the darkness to find something truly horrifying. Instead, there is a heartwarming story of parents' doing their best to help children with their fears. There is not enough story here to allow Hollow Face a spot beside other famous horror icons. Hollow Face could really be sent away with a whispered boo! or a bah! at your local movie rental place.

Overall: 6 out of 10.

*the film's title is also a misnomer as there is actually only one intruder.

More info' on this film is available here:

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