The Road (2011)

Running Time: 110 minutes

Release Date: May 11, 2012

Review by: Stacey

I love a good, foreign horror and usually 9 times out of 10 they're far better than most American films ([REC], The Devil's Backbone, Audition).  I don't know why, but I've always had some luck when finding foreign horror films in that they've all ended up being pretty damn great- and 2011's Filipino horror The Road was no exception.

 

Directed by Yam Laranas, The Road is told through a three-story narrative all taking place over the course of twenty years (2008, 1998, 1988).  The disappearance of three teens on a stretch of abandoned road in 2008 causes the re-opening of a cold case from 12 years prior (someone doesn't know how to do math well, apparently) that opens up a whole can of supernatural worms.  What unfolds is a story that goes all the way back to a home at the end of this road where a family held many dark secrets back in 1988.

 

With the directing, writing, editing and cinematography done by Laranas, The Road is a pretty impressive film for being something that's obviously (?) low budget.  It takes three interwoven stories and makes you feel like you're watching a new movie with each one.  What made this movie shine was the story and what backed it up was the imagery.  It never relied on cheesy jump scares or gore for the sake of gore, but rather every spooky part had a purpose.

Of course, a great film won't be without its fallbacks.  The Road's cast wasn't terrible by any means, but there were some parts that just irked my nerves- more specifically the 2008 segment and the constantly shrieking girls.  It felt a little over-acted at certain points.  Thankfully, it wasn't nearly enough to turn me off from the film.  Aside from that, there were parts that definitely showed the low-budgetness of the film, especially in terms of the quality of the camera work but ultimately, the story saved the day.

 

 

The Road isn't going to be the most amazing movie you've laid eyes on, but it's a really well-done ghost story/murder mystery that engages the viewer and doesn't spoon feed you every little detail of the film.  It's one I would recommend viewing that you won't be disappointed in.

4/5 wrong turns down desolate roads

 

Check out the trailer and catch the movie on Netflix!