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Vampyr


NO RATING
by Torgo
posted on 1/16/21
I just like to warn people who could have potential time constraints.
No worries. I'll drop another review just in case.

Vampyr (contains spoilers)

Vampyr is almost 90 years old, has no monster costumes and has two special effects that barely qualify as such these days, but it still cut through my defenses and chilled me more than several modern horror movies have. I love how it put me in hero Allan Grey's shoes before I realized it. With passions to which this horror movie fan can relate and Julian West's wide eyes and relatable reactions, his fears and desires became mine nearly at frame one. It helps that the movie fulfills those desires at just the right times such as when Allan lends a helping hand to inflicted daughter Léone or when he consults the vampire guide for more instructions. The movie is also a masterclass in simplicity and elegance. I have seen dozens of horror movies and thus believe it will take a lot for each one I see to scare me, but it only took a door swinging open or a shot of a scythe to get my adrenaline flowing or the turning of a gear to bring me relief. Speaking of that scythe, which appropriately graces the movie's HBO Max thumbnail, the movie demonstrates director Dreyer's talent for letting images speak volumes. I'm not sure if it's how he plays with your expectations - a shadow of someone digging a hole is one thing, but showing it in reverse is something else - good timing - I mean, what's more consoling than seeing sunshine through the clouds after what Allan and Léone have been through - or perspective - I'm talking about the "grave cam" - but Dreyer sure had a knack for showing without telling and making the images indelible. Again, Vampyr has no elaborate costumes, makeup or sprays of blood, but it's still one of the best movies I've seen in the horror genre. While I still enjoy seeing such things as much as the next horror fan does, it's not only refreshing to be reminded that a mere shadow or facial expression can scare just as much, but also that they can still scare me.