In the Tall Grass

A fairly gratifying storyline about a cursed field where several people get lost, only to collide in various ways and have strange things happening to them. And there’s plenty of strange things happening, thanks to which you don’t have much chance to get bored. Though, on the other hand, it all starts to look quite random, like a bizarre bric-a-brac that is never explained. If someone wants to dig deeper into it, they can blast the film with a clear conscience. But I had fun, I don’t care. (04.10.2019)

I am telling myself that if Netflix wanted to break through in something, it would be the horror genre. Based on Stephen King’s book, directed by a director from the list of Americans who now own this genre, actors with unfamiliar names cast as main characters and what’s more, with Patrick Wilson. I have to admit that In the Tall Grass creates a proper atmosphere. It is a pity that it is such a crap. (31.12.2019)

The director of Cube, along with Netflix and Stephen King, made a mindfuck that I didn't buy at all. It starts of weell. Tall grass, lost people and a chance to develop an interesting mythology with unknown rules, but the creators start to weave in complex time loops in which the viewer gets even more lost than the people in the grass themselves. The film tries to look smart, but it's more of a plot potluck without any sense, and I really hate it when a character dies and is soon there again, over and over. There are no jump-scares or gore either, so a really uninteresting and very boring affair for me at least. 40% (07.10.2019)

It's actually a good thing the novella on which this film was based hasn't been published here yet, because I couldn't/didn't compare it to the source material and could "just" be surprised and entertained. And there was definitely something to enjoy! At first the viewer thinks "Oh, so some variation of Children of the Corn?", but that's a big mistake, because the film turns out to be something completely different. Better. Before it was over, I knew I would have to watch it again soon, and that doesn't happen all that often. It's another great addition to the family of films produced in 2019 based on Stephen King’s work (actually, more like Joe Hill, since I mostly saw his handwriting in the story). (04.10.2019)

There are tons of genre movies that feature a space-time paradox, and so In the Tall Grass really needed to come up with something innovative and interesting in order to rise above all the others. However, it is unfortunately not a very imaginative movie, and is very repetitive, and watching it can only bring some mild satisfaction at best from a completely forgettable horror one-off. In the worst case, it will cause indignation over the wasted potential of the cast (Patrick Wilson has a pretty terrible role here) and the engagement of a once promising horror movie director, who has today somehow lost his touch. (16.11.2019)

So, Stephen King gave us "The Shining," then Stanley Kubrick made a movie based on the book, and now it feels like I just witnessed a film that drew some inspiration from it. Or did King decide to circle back and bring his son along for this journey back in time? I have to admit, the atmosphere was darkly captivating and genuinely unsettling, which was excellent. However, the story itself didn't quite grab me. The first ten to fifteen minutes had me hooked, but then it all started to loop and tangle together. Before I knew it, I was losing focus, feeling like a driver on a long journey whose eyelids were starting to droop, desperately relying on the side white line to jolt them awake (at least for a moment). Unfortunately, there wasn't anything to give me that jolt, so I found myself experiencing a few ten-second blackouts during the viewing. / Lesson learned: It might sound like a racial stereotype, but if you're going to venture into tall grass, do it with an experienced Vietnamese guide. (31.03.2024)

The Canadian production In the Tall Grass is not badly made. There are some interesting shots. The practical effects aspect is very well executed when it comes to the practical effects aspect. It is scary and quite hardcore at times. However, the narrative failed to captivate me, I was not entertained, and I was bored by it. Also, I do not want to see Patrick Wilson in roles like this, and I guess I like him too much for that. (31.01.2020)