I'm conflicted with the score I gave this film. I enjoyed the quality of the shots and the acting throughout the film, yet I remain deeply confused about what triggered Kevin to become so unmanageable. Tilda Swinton fits into the awkwardness of the movie like glue, her character barely knowing how to breathe in some scenes. John C. Reilly felt a bit out of place, and I hardly recall what he did to support the family. I think tighter character development could've helped with that.
The focus of the movie wasn't on the characters of the movie, at all, though. The focus was on the disconnected communication between everybody. The film tries to sway you to understand the psychosis of a young boy turning into a teenage hell spawn with a weak explanation that "there is no point that's the point." Lame, if this is the writers'/director's intent.
It was an upsetting watch, that's for sure. It felt like the older horror movies of the late 70's/early 80's, like an updated "Rosemary's Baby," "The Shining," or "The Omen." Some viewers don't like how it didn't explain itself clearly enough, though, which is what I agree with. We live in the age of "everything needs a rational, logical, scientific reason," so any omission of an answer from a film leaves some people (including myself) wanting more. Overall, though, it might intrigue those who are fine with films made for art-sake first.
The focus of the movie wasn't on the characters of the movie, at all, though. The focus was on the disconnected communication between everybody. The film tries to sway you to understand the psychosis of a young boy turning into a teenage hell spawn with a weak explanation that "there is no point that's the point." Lame, if this is the writers'/director's intent.
It was an upsetting watch, that's for sure. It felt like the older horror movies of the late 70's/early 80's, like an updated "Rosemary's Baby," "The Shining," or "The Omen." Some viewers don't like how it didn't explain itself clearly enough, though, which is what I agree with. We live in the age of "everything needs a rational, logical, scientific reason," so any omission of an answer from a film leaves some people (including myself) wanting more. Overall, though, it might intrigue those who are fine with films made for art-sake first.