THE VOID (2016)

6/9/2017 - The Void (2016) - 4/10

This is a horror hodgepodge with elements of the Thing, Event Horizon, Halloween, and Hellraiser with some pseudo-Lovecraftian cosmic horror sprinkled on it. It’s quite the potentially scary omelet, but each section is under-cooked. Certainly edible, but it could have been much tastier and filling.

This is certainly a film of contrasts and unrealized potential. Equal parts head scratchingly daft elements and truly gorgeous & smartly executed shots/ideas. Smart symbology and strong story/character/horror pieces, but the puzzle is completed wonkily, distorting the overall image into something less than satisfying. 

The core actors actually gave a robust effort for this segment of features, but often their actions and plot threads disengage with logic. Example, if anyone ever encounters oddly clad cultists surrounding a building or an undead tentacle monster attack, these should be existential paradigm shifting events and life-on-the-line intense problems. All squabbles or "getting back to the task that the plot demands" must get thrown out immediately. I am sorry if that makes the story you want to tell more difficult or less cookie-cutter, but if you want me to buy in you have to make that path appealing to my intellect and emotions. These existential gut punches are pushed to the side like no one ever would Obviously, this film fell into the usual traps of its predecessors and contemporaries. Unfortunate.

All hope is not lost. Some of the creature features, the designs, the iconography, dream sequences and basic character outlines are quite good. Unfortunately, the flesh laid upon those ribs is cancerous and devours the good intentions/positive will that is put forward. 

Watchable but less remarkable than the ideas of the what this film could have been deserve. Hardcore horror hounds enjoy. Everyone else: move along.