Horror films constantly request experimenting; It is an entire genre based on rules that are just waiting, bent, twisted or broken into a brand new shape. This is exactly why it is a shame that so many new horror films are only minor variations of the same old ideas. But it was only last year that we got two really original horror films – Azrael And Violent – It really felt like brave new directions for the genre. And now that both films stream on Hulu, you can finally check them yourself.
Violent'S Logline is simple: it is a slasher in which we follow the murderer instead of the victims. It is a brilliant idea on paper, but one that is obviously more difficult to do in practice. After all, most of these monsters don't really talk, and although their violent parts are often really remarkable, this usually only makes up a small part of the overall film.
If you really think through it, a slasher where you follow the murderer would probably usually be a film about walking. And that's exactly what Violent IS: A beautiful, pastoral film about a large monster that is looking for teenagers who disturbed his supernatural sleep, quietly and methodically through forests and fields. If he actually catches up with these teenagers, they naturally hit violent and terrible goals. But the time in between is so wonderfully peaceful, and there is a different feeling and pace than any other slasher you saw.
AzraelOn the other hand, there is a little apocalyptian. The film takes place after the rapture and follows a woman named Azrael (Samara Weaving), who escapes from her cult, which has put a silent vow because you believe that the language kept her out of heaven. To say too much about this would ruin part of his fun, but it is enough to say that the Woods escapes Azrael are full of strange demonic creatures, and the cult from which she ran was more than quiet.
The whole film is absolutely exciting and wonderfully turned, but what really does Azrael The fact that it is almost completely free of dialogue is unique. Even without words, the incredible world of the film comes loudly and clearly, and talent for a great expression of the eye makes it the perfect cipher on the screen for this wordless post-apocalypse.
Both films are fascinating alone, but together it is difficult to hope that their publications last year could be a sign that more experiments in the horror genre are on the way. But if we wait for new and unique films on the horizon, you can at least stream both Violent And Azrael on Hulu for the time being.
