The Positive
As a kind of 21st-century folklore, found footage, creepy pastas, and mysterious live streams all play a role in our lives. Rather than watching a traditional horror film like Saw or Halloween, our sense of dread is more easily linked to what is real or at least, what we're told is real. Popular YouTube channels such as Lazy Masquerade, Corpse Husband, and Nick Crowley respond to this new type of horror. A Town Full of Ghosts capitalizes on this trend by making a horror film that draws inspiration from both the internet and popular horror films such as Blair Witch, Paranormal, and even The Shining.
XEM THÊM :
I didn't expect to enjoy this film as much as I did, but the acting by the main characters was convincing enough to make it appear as if they were performing on a live stream or reality show. Mark's ambitions, while extravagant, are consistent with today's obsession with social media celebrity and finding fulfillment through risk and material gain.
The nods to older horror films give it an enjoyable angle for film buffs, in addition to having a relevant plotline in its own right. Mark takes on a Jack Torrance-like descent into madness, but unlike in The Shining, he does not overplay it or resort to blatant imitation.
Another strength of the film is its quick pace. A Town Full of Ghosts keeps us engaged in relevant details in the Wild West ghost town, and even if it doesn't succeed in every scare, it still provides an intriguing setting and solid digital effects.
The Negative
While it is good that the film moves quickly, it has an effect on our ability to become invested in the unfortunate characters. It could only care about the characters' plight by comparing them to real-life horrors that had made it onto the internet. A scene near the end reminded me of some true crime incidents that allegedly made it onto sites like Reddit or 4Chan.
As previously stated, the jump-scares were not always successful, especially for those who had previously seen many horror films. They appear to be an unavoidable component of nearly every horror film, even if they are frequently ineffective. However, this film doesn't rely on jump scares so heavily that you can't appreciate the overall story.
The only obvious flaw is that it's unclear who owns Mark and why. Given the ghost town's history, it's unclear why he was chosen by the ghosts and why the others weren't also possessed by malevolent entities.
A Good Internet Movie for Popcorn
The old-fashioned, Wild West setting, complete with twangy music and a haunted saloon, creates a fun, eerie atmosphere. It was filmed at the J Lorraine ghost town in Austin, Texas, which you can visit if you want to go on your own sinister adventure. This is also part of the film's allure. It promotes a travel destination, much like a YouTube channel, making the viewer feel more a part of the journey than if it were shot in a studio.
Who can say? If you take your camera out there, you might get thousands of followers and a bizarre story that goes viral. If you'd rather stay at home, I recommend crawling into bed with a bowl of popcorn and watching this movie before retiring for the night.
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