Movie Review: A Classic Horror Story (2021)

One reason films like A Classic Horror Story tend to stick in my mind is that it is like that film I would make if I decided to try and hide my inspirations or favourite films in plain sight for those to spot, who would know and recognize the motives. In a way the plot itself would be like a review I'd write on a streaming platform, for example, by using film titles, like so: “once upon last summer I would know you made a wrong turn to have your own wicker man ritual because you wanted to be like Sam Raimi who did his own Midsommar, but with more gore and sirens from Silent Hill.” And while that may sound like the team of Roberto De Feo, Paolo Strippoli and Lucio Besana is hoping to look as big as some of the well known horror directors, the truth is that sporting your faves at the beginning of your career can lead to great things. I remember watching Saw for the first time and thinking how marvelous Cube had been redone... Or watching Feardotcom and being impressed by Ringu’s Sadako having a new amplua. I had always been a believer in wearing your inspirations on your sleeve if you know how to make them look aesthetically and artistically fitting and meaningful, related to the idea you’ve got. I think A Classic Horror Story is an interesting example of that as well as it is a note of passion for filmmaking in general. That alone should be reason enough to keep an eye on these Italians in the future.

The obvious signs of inspiration behind certain scenes aside, there is a number of things A Classic Horror Story offers that have required from writers well worked out ideas of their own. Firstly, there is a twist in it, and the twist is that good that I don’t remember last time I watched a film and was so taken aback by what the script writers had in store for me. If you’re going to watch this film then let me assure you; ignorance really is your best friend here. Secondly, a team of people from three different countries had been assembled; this means struggles with language barriers and differences as to how some things are being perceived and reacted to. The only characters that are there on a happy note are the couple of Sofia and Mark, but that changes soon after Mark had some drink. I guess the unluckiest of all of them, at least at the beginning stage, is Elisa who faces a dilemma none of us would want to have in our lives. Thirdly, the Fabrizio’s character. Now, this part somehow turned out to be the most interesting one for me because the full picture of how things developed at each crucial moment only becomes clear when watching the film for the second time; you just need to keep an eye on that guy who drives the RV. In my opinion, a character like that takes a bit of knowledge of people to turn out to get such a stark contrast between what it comes across like when you watch the film for the first time, and how it looks the second time. I guess the most amazing thing about it is how it manages to get so little attention when you watch it the first time.

One other thing A Classic Horror Story has managed to deal with in an interesting manner is the superstitions and traditions from the times long gone. There is undeniable social and political context to this. I think the nature of savage tribalism will be recognizable by anyone who has had doubts about certain views and traditions still having place in today’s world no matter where one lives. Especially if one has noticed political opportunists looking at that as an easy path to power.

All in all, A Classic Horror Story is that film, which you are looking for if you want your Summer dreaming to go from dark to darker, to really dark in a Winter’s day; you know when you get tired of all the Christmas songs and adverts, and need something to counterbalance all that. Mulled wine too, my friends, don’t forget mulled wine with it.

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