One of the Top 5 Slashers of the Past Decade: Hush Review

By: Myriam Akbar

Hush is an intense yet contained 2016 slasher film that is by far one of my favorites of the past decade. It’s directed by Mike Flanagan, who co-wrote the script with Kate Siegel (who also plays the main character Maddie). The plot follows a deaf writer secluded in the woods, who becomes the target of a sadistic masked stranger. What stands out about this film is that it uses classic slasher tropes, yet still manages to be innovative and refreshing. With limited characters and consistent house setting, Hush packs a punch! This well acted game of cat-and-mouse type of film has gore, chase scenes, and (oops, spoiler!) a badass final girl. 

My two favorite things are the sensory imagery and intentional dialogue, providing insight into the characters’ worlds and desires. From the very beginning, heightened sounds like the chopping of vegetables, the fire alarm going off, and the killer screeching against the glass door creates an intimate experience between the audience and the main character. We learn about how she operates in her daily life not having the ability to hear. There’s a scene where Maddie gets her hand crushed, using the combination of visual and auditory imagery to create a moment that make's one want to look away. There’s also moments of silence that suck you into the intense dread and suspense. You forget all about the lack of characters, dialogue, and variety in setting. It pushes you to focus your attention on the actions of two characters essentially battling it out. 

What I love about this slasher film is that the killer not only boldly removes his mask and exposes his identity, his motive is clearly shown through scenes where he’s talking to Maddie and himself. “Do you understand me? Nod your head if you understand me,” he says to her. He relies on his perceived advantage and his unremorseful demeanor while mocking her shows that he finds enjoyment in having the upper-hand. Sara is one of the few characters in the film, being Maddie’s close friend who is killed right before the man begins targeting her. When Sara’s boyfriend comes looking for her, the killer proudly admits his cowardice. Having to use a weapon against him, he says while talking to himself that he never would have won a one-on-one physical altercation. In slashers films, only sometimes is a motive or origin of evil given. Sometimes it’s shown through the lens of psychological turmoil (Halloween, 2007) or by means of supernatural revenge (A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984). In Hush viewers are given little-to-no information about the killer; however, it’s heavily implied that he kills people not just because he can (similar to The Strangers, 2008) but when he can. We can assume he has done this before considering how quickly he decides to kill people (Sara and her boyfriend) and specifically uses vulnerability to his advantage. There’s also notches on his bow which could indicate past victims. 

Kate Siegel’s performance is strikingly naturalistic and powerful. Her sign language and mouth morpheme felt believable and respectful, bringing some inclusiveness into the genre. Likewise the beautiful line about her inner voice sounding like her mother, a voice that we hear as she supports herself through the traumatizing and terrifying experience. I highly recommend this one because it uses the overplayed trope of “the house in the woods” in a creative way that is needed. I’m personally exhausted of the same plot surrounding this setting. In terms of scare-factor, this film truly brings it. From the anxiety-inducing tension, to the ruthless kill scenes. The sick and twisted nature of the killer is also chilling. He wants Maddie to suffer to the highest level, even propping up Sara’s dead body and using her to knock on the glass. It rare that a film truly exceeds my expectations, but this one did by accomplishing a lot with very little. It's currently streaming on Tubi where you can watch for free!

Photo Cred: Wikipedia.com

5 Underrated Black Horror Films

By: Myriam Akbar

I was raised on Black Cinema. I’m grateful that my father immersed me in culture through film, because it showed me at an early age that storytelling could be done through various mediums. He was a “film buff,” with a passion for horror which was critical to the development of who I am today. I’m not exaggerating when I say, “I’ve loved horror since diapers.” Every year in celebration of Black History Month, I rewatch my favorite horror films showcasing black actors and storytelling. Although I’m always on the hunt for new ones, there’s nothing better than a comfort movie. From 1995’s Vampire in Brooklyn, to 2019’s Us. However in this article, I highlight five recent Black Horror films that I believe are underrated and need to be added to your watchlist. 

1.) His House is a unique 2020 horror drama film that I often recommend to lovers of the genre, due to its refreshing concept, exceptional acting performances, and stunning aesthetic. The plot follows Bol and Rial, who are fleeing South Sudan with their daughter Nyagak. Although the couple manages to survive the journey, like many their daughter did not. While facing deportation and racism in Europe where they found asylum, they attempt to adjust to the house assigned to them by the government. As if that isn’t already an abundance of stress, the couple begins to encounter supernatural occurrences including visions of Nyagak. I don’t want to give away anymore details, due to the plot twist that I feel was cleverly executed. The themes of assimilation, sacrifice, redemption, and compassion create an introspective, emotionally charged experience. The visual imagery is both gorgeous and haunting, making it almost impossible to look away. Within the horror community, ghost stories that lean into drama is a current topic of conversation. His House is a stand-out example of deep and heart-warming storytelling that still manages to give you a scare. It’s currently on Netflix if you want to watch!

2.) Sissy is a fun and gory 2022 psychological horror film that I personally find slasher-esque. The plot follows Cecilia (Sissy), a lifestyle content creator who focuses on positivity and breathing exercises. While out on a shopping trip, she runs into a childhood friend Emma. First she invites Cecilia to her engagement party and then to her bachelorette celebration, which is at her fiancee Fran’s house. My favorite aspect of this film is the juxtaposition used to demonstrate Cecilia’s mental health and false representation online. This is shown through a hyper-feminine and organized aesthetic, only used to create an illusion in her videos. However, it is shown that her apartment is in fact an unadorned mess. At this moment there’s whimsical, fairytale music playing as the title card appears. The contrast is intentional as it's revealed through flashbacks that there’s a traumatic history between Cecilia and Emma. When Fran attempts to expose this, things take a dark turn. The film tackles themes of bullying, obsession, toxic positivity, and the reality behind social media. This isn’t a jump-scare or plot-twist driven experience, which is why I compare it to a slasher. The plot involves a group of people and an ironically (you’ll understand when you watch) masked killer, for example. There’s also chase scenes and intense kill-scenes. Regardless of the box it fits into, Sissy is a must-watch Black Horror film to celebrate the month of February. It’s streaming on AMC+ right now!

3.) The Angry Black Girl & Her Monster is a 2023 sci-fi horror film that serves as an innovative and culturally significant entry in the Frankenstein-like monster category. Vicaria is a passionate and intelligent teenage scientist, who attempts to bring her brother back to life after he’s killed due to violence. Like you can imagine, what begins as a successful experiment turns into a nightmare. I won’t give away anymore, but suggest going into the experience with the intention of being entertained rather than shocked. While it has violence and elements of suspense, there isn’t necessarily a mystery to be solved. I would describe this film as dark rather than scary, although conceptually it’s quite chilling. Don’t expect a mind-blowing plot-twist, but you can expect a fantastic performance by Laya DeLeon Hayes (Vicaria), as her character navigates a world of anger but chooses to embrace love. You can stream The Angry Black Girl & Her Monster right now on Hulu!

4.) Black Box is an inventive and mind-bending sci-fi horror film that's part of Prime’s “Welcome To Blumhouse” series. It follows a man named Nolan who lost his wife in a car accident, leaving him both a single father and with memory loss. His compassionate and resourceful daughter, Ava helps him keep up with daily tasks but a warning from her teacher pushes him to seek further assistance. Returning to the neurologist he had after the accident, he allows her to hypnotize him in order to see if he’s a candidate for her experimental treatment “Black Box.” All that I will say about his experience is that he encounters frightening figures, as well as daunting mysteries involving his past and identity. Both his past and identity essentially are the mystery that unfolds throughout the film. I will say, I did not see the twist coming and I think that’s due to the overall unique nature of the film. Expect some spooky, perplexing moments and convincing acting performances. Amanda Christine’s (Ava) performance particularly is a stand-out, both powerful and nuanced. Black Box is on Prime, where you can stream right now!

5.) Sweetheart is a fun and intense 2019 horror film that follows the survival journey of a young woman Jennifer, who ends up on an island after a boat crash. Simultaneously as she explores the land and tries to stay alive, she encounters a humanoid sea creature. While I can’t promise you an ingenious concept and execution, one can expect aspects of a classic creature feature: exciting imagery, a little gore, and a final showdown. I personally like the way it doesn’t lean into exploring thematic concerns but rather tells a story. With one central character and little-to-no dialogue, a lot is accomplished. Sweetheart is currently streaming on AMC+ and Philo if you’re interested in watching! 

Photo Creds: Wikipedia.com

Knowledge is Power: Is IO Moonhaven’s Version of Tiktok?

By: Myriam Akbar

First things first – keep in mind that above all else, I’m discussing literature and film. Although I will mostly examine the 2022 sci-fi/crime series Moonhaven, I will also make comparisons to modern society and early 1900's novels that discuss similar thematic concerns. Completely separate from my review of the show, my conclusions here are solely based on critical thinking and observation – plus some innocent, fun creativity. With conversations of a TikTok banning, users have expressed frustration and urgency to understand the true meaning behind it. An imperfect yet underrated series, suggests a possible reason for the removal of the app. 

AMC+ produced, Moonhaven follows a pilot and detective investigating a conspiracy within a community of humans living on the moon. While it tackles a seemingly far-fetched concept, with today’s technological and scientific advancements — it’s as far-fetched as the robots discussed in Karel Capek's RUR (where the term robot comes from) that now exist. Although space exploration has been discussed since ancient times, colonization (to various degrees; for example only retrieving resources) of the moon is stated to have been discussed since the 17th century. This would explain chapters in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World Revisited that critique this proposition. What I found the most intriguing and realistic about Moonhaven wasn’t the humanitarian mission to space, but a form of artificial intelligence called IO that is used as a sort of behavioral guide. 

One can assume the obvious — Earth is in shambles and like many sci-fi stories, we are searching for answers to save our species. In some cases, from ourselves and in other cases, forces outside of us. The series explores various causes that prevent us from harmony, such as: environmental destruction, violence, and prejudice. It questions: is harmony even possible? IO is a device that detects patterns in human behavior throughout history. Our responsibility is to work hand-in-hand with it, allowing it to aid us from repeating our mistakes. The essence of IO is learning information in order to unlearn behaviors, to yet again learn new ones. In Moonhaven, this would be constant awareness of the technology’s power and acceptance of the way it reinforces humans to behave accordingly. We would then use the development of new psychological and sociological philosophies to build a new reputation, spreading the word to those back on Earth. This colony acts as a home for those who plan to use IO properly, as it is our last hope of saving humanity. TIK TOK. TIK TOK. TIK TOK. Problem is, we’re still human – even if we’re on the moon. While many follow the guidelines, the main character rejects IO’s resourcefulness and part of the plot twist is that some feel it interrupts the chaos they want in the world. 

Different from other social media apps, TikTok has done more than allow humans to communicate throughout the globe. Yes you can request to follow people and message them, watching their content as it’s uploaded. But more than anything – users found themselves asking: have I ever had an original thought or experience? The truth is, humanity exists more in repeated cycles of behavior than it does drastic change. Some may even say that Earth’s crisis can be summarized with a handful of isms, for example: imperialism, racism, sexism, capitalism etc. TikTok has done more than showcase catchy, yet annoying dance numbers or help make everyday people overnight famous. It educates users in a plethora of subjects, exposes untold aspects of history, gives voices to the oppressed, provides video proof of wrong doings, and reminds many where they come from. It embodies how there’s strength in numbers, power in community, and information out there that can radicalize society. 

So why ban TikTok? In my mind along with many others, its creation was a failed weapon of mass distraction. Like most sources of entertainment, the human mind latches onto the perceived separation of art and reality. “Art imitates life,” we know this. I believe with TikTok, users are attempting to find the mindless nature of entertainment in the app but it isn’t there. There’s no escaping the reality within it. This has caused radicalization for many, in the way that some have previously grasped from works of science fiction or political philosophy; for example. The problem isn’t Tiktok, social media, or technology. It’s how we use them and what is compromised in the process of creation (resource distribution, slavery, capitalism).

So what do we do with this information or any information for that matter? Falling into complete apathy or complacency will certainly get us nowhere. I suppose what will be most useful is to prioritize access to knowledge and freedom of expression as an ethical responsibility. We must remember what we learn about our behavior with enthusiasm to unlearn it, in order for positive change in the long run. 

Photo Cred: Spoilertv.com