Reviews

I don't see the point of this film existing. The original Swedish movie is a masterpiece. This is average, and almost scene by scene the same. But, hold it.... would I be saying this if I had not seen the original? Interesting. I cant answer that perfectly, but I can give a rough answer. Well, in the original, the casting and acting was sublime and the characters were developed more all round, especially the secondary characters. In this remake two secondary characters are given any development - the detective and the father. In the original there is way more chemistry between the two main characters. The direction is better in the original, as is the cinematography. When I heard about a 'Hollywood remake' I thought "Ahh, we will now et to see what happens above the water while our protagonist is being bullied in the pool". I thought this because perhaps more money would be thrown at a Hollywood remake. But no, we see no flying beheading 12 year old vampire doing anything. So what was the point of this? All I can think of is that they needed an American accent version. Or perhaps they were jealous of the Swedish? Ahh, I get it now, they are trying to make some money! So of course, what mass of warm blooded Americans would be caught viewing a foreign accent film. Not so many. So, they needed to remake it for the USA audience. Well, fine plan, but the movie just ain't that great. Looks like they failed on all counts.

When attending the MIFF one expects a broad array of viewing experiences. This year violence seemed to be a theme amongst the program. Whether that is an indication of my personal sensitivity to the level of increasing violence in media, or an indication of the publics increasing de-sensitivity to violence, or an indication of the decline in our level of civilization, or all of the above, I don't know.

After seeing this particular film, two things were apparent and appalling. The film itself, and secondly, the fact that much of the audience were baying in awe.

How can material like this contribute in any way to the enlightenment of society? Yes, violence has impact; violence creates powerful psychological reactions in the minds of those whom witness it. Yet when it forms the primary premise of a story in such films as 'The horseman', one can rightfully wonder what positive contribution to culture and society is actually being made.

The irresponsibility of presenting such torture porn as seen in 'The Horseman' to the public may be serious. The reason for this; Impressions like the ones contained in this film might inspire borderline psychotics into action, be it justified by their own vigilante moralizations and reasoning. Or it might degrade the sensitivity of the public to real violence and real issues in our society such and spouse bashing, child bashing, bullying, revenge attacks, the reality of war, violence by authorities, the fate of political prisoners, suffering of the poor, the suffering of animals, etc. Society might become more complacent about the above kinds of issues and take less action against them if they become desensitized.

Regarding this film itself, it has a basic revenge story. The main character carries around a toolbox and uses the contents as his torture implements.

The film contains a string of frequent, extremely graphic and lengthy torture scenes spotted throughout the film, occurring with a frequency not dis-similar to the regularity of bursts of laughter that you will find throughout a TV sitcom.

Some acts of very graphic and much of it close up violence in the film include a guy getting his face smashed in with a crowbar with images of his resulting mangled face and missing nose, bashing and smashing of heads, faces, limbs and bodies with various implements, the insertion of a bike pump nozzle into a penis and then pumped, the application of fishhooks into a penis then pulled, the removal of a nipple with pliers (close up), the application of a welding torch to an open wound (close up). There are a lot of bone breaks, fights, cuts, impacts; all accentuated with heavy sound effects and of course blood. The aftermath of a violent near fatal rape is also seen. The above is not exhaustive, as there was so much violence it was hard to register it all. There were some twists that were interesting, and much of the acting was convincing – but to what end? Advertising can put powerful creative energy, expertly talented technicians lucrative budgets into the marketing of a single ice-cream product. This film is marketing what….violence?

Just watch the trailer – you will see what I am talking about.

I was in the second row at the MIFF screening, and nearly walked out as my friends did, but decided to stay in case there was an acceptable explanation for it all by the end – but alas, only the predictable – more violence. I found myself asking yet again what kind of society I was a member of for such material to be created in the first place.

The director stated in front of the audience that he "likes seeing torture" in movies…a direct quote.

If you like this sort of thing...