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A charged and eloquent atmosphere, expressive camera movements and framing, vibrant and driving rhythm, candid and funny characters, and, especially, a beautiful and fantastic monster.
Features of a film that is not going to change the history of cinema, but made with desire and love for the seventh art, which (pardon the cliché) does not underestimate the audience, but above all, does not despise it.
It offers a candid tone, suitable for all audiences, but still a bit blackish. Utterly charming and entertaining.
It reminded me of a certain Hollywood of the late 80s and the beginning of the following decade, where supernatural, fantasy and science fiction, served as plot in original, sympathetic and exciting stories; and, although intelligent, suitable for all audiences.
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The movie is more than entertaining, and even in some tense situations, it is even funny. I loved the character of the old lady, Helga, even though she introduces such a cruel disease as Alzheimer's or senile dementia into the plot.
All of the characters are very well thought out, although perhaps the mother of the young protagonist is a bit wasted, but it is not decisive either. And well, the baby was too much for me, perhaps an addition to create anguish to some viewers.
The origin of the eight-legged animal is the crappiest, but as it appears in the first minutes, I think I remember that even during the opening credits, it is something that is gradually obviated and you continue immersed in the film.
Good effects, very accomplished, very good work of the Australian cast, good in every way, especially for those who enjoy watching products of this type.
It is worth noting that this is not a dark, bad-ass horror story, but rather a “monster adventure” one. The apartment building where it takes place is composed as an enclosed but vast universe.
The camera, flush with the grimy carpets, already gives more life to this film than to any pristine Netflix production.
The cheesy family subplot does not hurt it at all, as it constantly opts for the risk of that spider that grows, offering cute deaths every so many minutes, as well as for that Spielbergian combination of comedy and adventure. Of risk and emotion.