I just watched the Rental and I liked it even more than I expected. I saw the meager rating on here before I started the movie and I went in with low expectations, but I was more than surprised, especially with the ending..
As soon as the credits rolled I knew, clearly, why people have an issue with this movie. It did two things that turn off mainstream audiences, but I actually find refreshing. 1. It took its time and developed characters, whether you found them likable and care whether they live or not, is subjective. 2. The ambiguous ending. There was also a third component; not a storytelling device, but a plot point and turn in the story. 3. Why wouldn't you just own up to cheating and call the police immediately?
"Who was he?!!" Why do we need to know anything about him or why he does what he does? Isn't that more frightening? Did we need confirmation that he did, in fact, have a heinous childhood? I think it was clear that this person is a psychopathic murderer that preys for pleasure and sport. The faceless killer (and winner in the end!) doesn't need more story. If you were secretly observed, stalked, mentally tortured and ultimately murdered by a masked person, you would never know who they were or why they did it.
Some people say, "it's slow and went nowhere." I disagree. We got to know the characters, infer their personality types, and see their strengths and weaknesses. Why didn't Charlie & Mina come clean, admit their mistake and save the day? I don't know, maybe they're self-centered narcissists? Sometimes unrealistic decisions can be picked apart as a plot failure, but in this case I think that's just who those people were. They'd rather gamble and protect their assumed respective appearance. You don't have to like and respect all characters.
Also, they did a great job capitalizing on a contemporary trope with Airbnb. This may have already been used in another movie at this point, but I thought it was a great choice, especially for a confined horror film. How much is staying in a strangers home worth it for the price and location?
Great job, Dave Franco. I was skeptical but I'd definitely check out another horror flick he does.
As soon as the credits rolled I knew, clearly, why people have an issue with this movie. It did two things that turn off mainstream audiences, but I actually find refreshing. 1. It took its time and developed characters, whether you found them likable and care whether they live or not, is subjective. 2. The ambiguous ending. There was also a third component; not a storytelling device, but a plot point and turn in the story. 3. Why wouldn't you just own up to cheating and call the police immediately?
"Who was he?!!" Why do we need to know anything about him or why he does what he does? Isn't that more frightening? Did we need confirmation that he did, in fact, have a heinous childhood? I think it was clear that this person is a psychopathic murderer that preys for pleasure and sport. The faceless killer (and winner in the end!) doesn't need more story. If you were secretly observed, stalked, mentally tortured and ultimately murdered by a masked person, you would never know who they were or why they did it.
Some people say, "it's slow and went nowhere." I disagree. We got to know the characters, infer their personality types, and see their strengths and weaknesses. Why didn't Charlie & Mina come clean, admit their mistake and save the day? I don't know, maybe they're self-centered narcissists? Sometimes unrealistic decisions can be picked apart as a plot failure, but in this case I think that's just who those people were. They'd rather gamble and protect their assumed respective appearance. You don't have to like and respect all characters.
Also, they did a great job capitalizing on a contemporary trope with Airbnb. This may have already been used in another movie at this point, but I thought it was a great choice, especially for a confined horror film. How much is staying in a strangers home worth it for the price and location?
Great job, Dave Franco. I was skeptical but I'd definitely check out another horror flick he does.