Traveling to Detroit for a job interview, a young woman books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double-booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the evening. Before long, mysterious sounds draw her to other parts of the house where terrifying discoveries prove there’s a lot more for her to fear than just an unexpected house guest. A film by Zach Cregger, starring Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Matthew Patrick Davis, and Justin Long.
BARBARIAN
Zach Cregger
(2022)
Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell) is renting a house in Brightmoor, Detroit, via Airbnb, drawn by its lower price compared to hotels. However, as she arrives on a pouring rain evening, she discovers that the key, which is supposed to be in a safety deposit box, is missing. Unable to enter the house, she attempts to contact the company, but it is unavailable at this hour.
As Tess’s frustration mounts, unsure of her next move, she notices the light in the house turn on. She rings the doorbell, hoping that the owner might be inside. To her surprise, the man who answers the door, Keith Toshko (Bill Skarsgård), is another guest who has rented the house through HomeAway.
Upon hearing Tess’s story and seeing her email confirmation of the rental, Keith invites her inside to find a way to contact the company that manages the property, given the pouring rain. Initially hesitant to enter, Tess suspects that Keith may have broken into the house and is pretending to be a guest. Nevertheless, she is willing to take the risk and steps inside. Keith hands her his phone, displaying his rental confirmation, assuring her that he has indeed rented the house.
Tess attempts to book a room at nearby hotels, but all of them are fully booked due to a major conference in town. Keith suggests that she stay at the house for the night, given the unsafe and dangerous nature of the neighborhood, particularly for a woman driving alone late at night. He assures her that he will contact HomeAway first thing in the morning.
The next day, Tess discovers a hidden passage in the basement. Upon entering, she stumbles upon a room with an old bed, a video camera, and a hand-shaped bloodstain on the wall. Terrified by the possibility of something terrible having happened in the house, she rushes to tell Keith about her discovery. However, he dismisses her concerns, believing her to be imagining things. He attempts to calm her down and asks her to wait while he investigates the basement.
As time passes, Tess’s concern for Keith’s well-being grows. He has yet to return from the basement, and she cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong. Summoning her courage, she descends the stairs once more. Upon reaching the hidden room, Tess discovers another concealed door, leading deep into a long, dark tunnel. Her common sense prevails, urging her to turn back. But as she prepares to leave, Keith’s anguished cries for help echo from the depths of the tunnel.
Written and directed by American filmmaker Zach Cregger in his directorial debut, BARBARIAN is an exceptional thriller film. The story is incredibly engaging, creating a gloomy and uneasy atmosphere that suggests something horrifying is about to happen at any moment, keeping viewers captivated throughout. The three leading cast members deliver stellar performances, particularly Bill Skarsgård, whose brilliant performance keeps us guessing whether he is a innocent man or a sinister villain, as the house’s dark and terrifying secrets gradually emerge.
The only disappointment is Tess’s inconsistent decision-making. At times, her choices seem insightful, but often they come off as surprisingly foolish. While it is understandable that the writer wants to differentiate her role from a typical protagonist in the horror-thriller genre. To serve the plot, she must make unconvincing choices.
BARBARIAN premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on 22 July 2022. It was theatrically released in the United States on 9 September. The film grossed over $45 million worldwide against its production budget of $4.5 million.
