Featuring at London's Frightfest at the end of August, British horror F hits cinemas nationwide this week, pitting the teachers of a school against the gang of murderous kids that have infiltrated the building during after hours. In light of it's release, i look back at some other recent flicks displaying the best in sadistic, psychotic teenagers.
Eden Lake (2008)
Us Brits truly do know how to shock. Proving that theory was James Watkins' Eden Lake, starring heroine Kelly Reilly battling a group of local deviants that gate crashed her romantic getaway with boyfriend Michael Fassbender (300, Centurion). Thieving their car and tying up her man with barbed wire, Jenny's fight for survival was one of the most extravagantly intense and nail-gnawing experiences of that year, with a surprising script by Watkins himself hurtling him into the limelight. The somewhat unexpected ending is shocking enough to leave you tightening your fists with fury - a very good sign that the film was entirely successful.
Them (Ils) (2006)
Based, partially, on a true story, Lucas and Clementine's night in their newly renovated, and predictably secluded, house in the French countryside is rocked to extreme proportions once awoken to hooded figures roaming the outside of their idyllic property. Once inside the house, reporting a breaking and entering charge is the last thing on their mind as the group show aggressive behaviour. A true pulse-pounder, with directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud able to built a truly unnerving atmosphere amongst the subtle, but highly simplistic, title sequences. Believable performances from the film's main stars also help! "You'll never feel safe in your home again", eek!
Funny Games (1997/2007)
German born director imprinted on the horror genre with his original house intrusion thriller Funny Games, then once again in 2007 with his same-titled, same-plotted remake. The story focuses on a family thrown off their vacation once two young, psychotic neighbours intrude on their weekend, holding the family hostage and force them to play a series of 'games'. Both films hold as perfect examples of how to shock audiences with as little gore as possible, with the supposed games setting you on the edge of your seat, intriguing and gripping you until the truly unexpected ending. Some may call Haneke's baby a masterclass in suspense, i would like to clarify that i agree.
The Children (2008)
Tom Shankland's Brit horror sees a group of children fall under some unexplained illness over the New Year at a holiday home, rapidly changing them from innocent, playful youths to crazed, murderous vessels hellbent on ridding the adults. A smartly written script pitting parents against their offspring, surprisingly with zero exceptions, allowing for a gory, frightening horror flick. A specific scene involving two of the young'uns closing in on a parent as troublesome teen Casey (Hollyoaks' Hannah Tointon) battles her way through a locked door is particularly chilling, building intensity at an agonizing pace. Fantastic!
Harry Brown (2009)
Hardly what i'd call a horror, but Daniel Barber's thought-provoking crime drama details the brutality in which some of today's youths are able to cause. Ex-military man Harry Brown meticulously tracks down and takes vengeance on the locals that murder his friend out of amusement and get off scot-free. A fantastically hard-hitting script, accurately portrayed youths and a stand-out performance from Caine himself. A brutal but necessary view on today's down-spiraling conditions regarding gang violence and injustice.
F is released nationwide September 17th.
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