Equal parts John Carpenter, David Cronenberg and HP Lovecraft, The Void is a homage to 1980s films while also standing firmly on its own. There are gory freaky moments, some great shots, and a good sense of pacing. However the plot is a bit thin and there is some acting that is bad even for a horror film. I do think my viewing would have been slightly improved had I been able to see The Void on the big screen, as it adds something to not only horror films but most films in general. Netflix just is not the same, despite their good selection and picture quality.
The main setting is at a hospital that is poorly staffed due to a fire that destroyed part of the building. The hero, Dan, swears a lot and has demons that drive some of his intensity. It does not help matters that a group of weirdos are outside, or that unknown terrors lie in the basement. I like that The Void uses practical effects, and there are moments that are freaky and surprising. If you cannot stomach gore and strange monsters this film is not for you.
I wonder if the film’s creators are planning a sequel, based on how this film ended. I also really liked the film’s score, even if it was John Carpenter lite. My favorite thing about The Void was how it explored some of the characters, diving into their connections with each other. It elevated some of the material, and causes one shockingly violent scene to have a tragic meaning in addition to a shocking one. Good pick by Netflix, and a good fall movie, too.
Down The Rabbit Hole 