It Comes at Night: The Lowdown

Jun 20, 2017 | Reviews

 *Slight Spoilers*

Alright, this movie has received great reviews from critics. Mixed to low reviews from regular everyday schmucks like you and me. I get it, I was torn while leaving the theater. Having not seen any of the director’s, Trey Edward Shults, previous work, I wasn’t completely sure what he was going for. I think this is where the problem lies.

The term Horror is subjective, always has been. If viewers wanted a gore fest, this is not for you. A supernatural/demonic film? Not gonna find that here. Want everything wrapped up in a neat little bow? Keep looking. What we do get, and what I believe to be the director’s vision, is a glimpse into the human condition.

The film wastes no time setting the tone, or showing what “It” is. Within the first ten minutes, you find the main characters saying their godbyes to a disease riddled old man. The grandfather. He is being disposed of. The patriarch of the family, Paul (Joel Edgerton), and the 17 year old son Travis (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), carry the old man into the woods in a wheelbarrow. They come to a shallow hole, where the old man is placed. Paul then shoots grandpa in the head, and burns his body. All while Travis is watching. If you haven’t guessed, “It” is the virus. They return home to Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), Paul’s wife/Trevor’s mom, who is mourning the loss of her father.

We see their day to day life. Living under the strict set of rules set by Paul. We are also introduced to the first of many dream sequences. Travis has a series of dreams, which seems to serve two purposes. To show that the isolation, fear, and loss are breaking him down. As well as to let the viewer know that “It” is ever present. Aside from the explanation that people are getting sick, we never get the how and why. Sometimes they forget there own rules. Like wearing their gloves and gas masks whenever they go outside.

Their fear intensifies when there’s a break in one night. A man, Will (Christopher Abbott), looking for suplies to feed his family. Sarah convinces Paul to spare him in hopes of getting information about the world outside. Paul then leaves him tied to a tree until he’s satisfied with what he hears. Paul and Sarah make a deal with Will. He will bring his family, and stay with Paul’s. Bringing all his families supplies with them. That’s always a good idea right? More people in an isolated situation, tension much?

You guessed it. Tensions rise between the two families, under Paul’s authority. See, Paul is the only one who has the key to the door that leads outside. No one leaves unless he lets them. Eventually, Will’s son gets sick. Which leads Paul to rethink his decision. They gotta go. This scene carries us pretty much through the end.

I enjoyed this movie. Seeing Travis slowly fall apart. An isolated seventeen year old who wants to be a normal teenager, but is haunted by the bleak world around him. Watching as Paul’s good intentions slowly turn bad. As he continually succumbs to his fear, he constantly crosses one line after another. To the point that he’s running in pure survival mode. Not weighing the consequences of his actions. Ultimately destroying his family.

Do yourself a favor, give this film a shot