Step into the enigmatic world of "Cobweb", a haunting cinematic venture directed by Samuel Bodin. In this unsettling narrative, eerie voices, elusive mysteries, and chilling atmospheres entwine to create an experience that dances on the fringes of horror. While it ventures into the realm of supernatural intrigue, the film encounters some missteps that leave it just shy of achieving its spine-tingling potential.
Mysterious Whispers and Sinister Comfort
In the darkness of Peter's bedroom, unsettling bumps in the night evolve into an ethereal voice trapped within the walls. This peculiar phenomenon initially fills Peter (Woody Norman) with dread, but as his parents' frustration mounts, the voice morphs into an unlikely source of solace—a disembodied guardian angel of sorts. However, the eerie guidance Peter receives from this spectral presence is far from benign, setting the stage for a gripping tale of otherworldly influence and hidden motives.
Ambient Atmosphere and Unfulfilled Chills
Samuel Bodin, supported by Philip Lozano's foreboding cinematography, crafts a world shrouded in a disconcerting aura. Yet, despite its atmospheric prowess, "Cobweb" falls short of fully realizing its aspirations to send shivers down the audience's spines. The jump scares, intended to jolt, lack the anticipated impact, and the narrative twists become somewhat predictable.
A Skeleton of Horror Elements
The film employs a collection of classic horror elements, featuring Peter as the bullied loner tormented by auditory hallucinations. His parents, portrayed by Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr, add a layer of unsettling disquiet to the narrative, while Cleopatra Coleman's portrayal of the concerned teacher, Miss Devine, contributes a touch of humanity. Yet, despite the supernatural intrigue and unsettling occurrences, the movie struggles to transform its components into a fully fleshed-out horror experience.
Misdirection and Unresolved Threads
"Cobweb" grapples with misdirection, introducing narrative threads that fail to culminate in meaningful resolutions. A missing trick-or-treater subplot serves as an example, starting with intrigue but ultimately fizzling out. The presence of bullies who torment Peter also lacks proper resolution, making sporadic appearances and vanishing without significant impact. The film's attempt at weaving a web of suspense feels uneven and disjointed.
Unfulfilled Potential and Underexplored Depth
While Starr and Caplan infuse their performances with erratic energy, and Norman effectively portrays the tormented Peter, the characters' journeys do not fully resonate. The potential depth of characters like Miss Devine remains untapped, leaving the narrative's emotional landscape relatively unexplored.
Conclusion
"Cobweb" enters the domain of the eerie, beckoning audiences into a world of supernatural whispers and uncanny occurrences. Despite its atmospheric prowess and an intriguing premise, the film ultimately falls short of realizing its chilling ambitions. Struggling with unresolved threads, a lack of suspense, and characters left underdeveloped, "Cobweb" remains a subdued and unfulfilled cinematic venture. While it manages to evoke moments of unease, it struggles to weave a captivating tale that truly captivates and terrifies its viewers.
COBWEB (2023) - info
- Release date: July 19, 2023
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Director: Samuel Bodin
- Writer: Chris Thomas Devlin
- Stars: Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman