HORNS
Radius/TWC
Reviewed for Shockya by Harvey Karten. Data-based on Rotten Tomatoes
Grade: B+
Director: Alexandre Aja
Screenplay: Keith Bunin, based on Joe Hill’s novel
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Max Minghella, Joe Anderson, Kelli Garner, Heather Graham, David Morse, Kathleen Quinlan, James Remar
Screened at: Review 1, NYC, 9/9/14
Opens: October 31, 2014
“Horns,” or, “The Devil in Daniel Radcliffe” is targeted toward the same audience that made blockbusters of the “Twilight” series. At least that’s what two critics have said. I’m not in that group and would have to disagree, in that older adults should be just as involved in the goings-on in what starts as a romance until murder enters the scene, and finally full-scale horror breaks out—at which point that director Alexandre Aja lets loose. Keith Bunin adapted the novel by Joe Hill, the book having been praised at its publication three years ago by the New York Times which called it “wild, mesmerizing, perversely witty…a Valentine from Hell.”
French-born director Alexandre Aja is in his métier, having directed “The Hills Have Eyes,” wherein a group of suburban people are stalked by psychotic folks who live in the desert, far from civilization.
“Horns” is anchored by a scary performance from Daniel Radcliffe, now as far from Harry Potter as you can imagine. Here he he is Ig Perrish, who is wrongfully accused of murdering his (frankly mousy) girlfriend, Merrin (Juno Temple). He was last seen with her at a luncheonette where she had some bad news for him. But to show how much he loved her, ever since childhood, director Aja flashes back in too lengthy a manner to their childhood, and later into young adulthood, both woman and man having “been with” nobody else throughout the time.
Having been followed wherever he goes by the press, Ig loses faith in God and begins to grow horns. The strangest thing happens when he confronts people with this new, diabolical image. They announce their darkest thoughts. When a little girl screams in a doctor’s office, both the mother and the receptionist have things to say that no mother and no receptionist should say. The doctor himself (Alex Zahara) offers pain pills to Ig for recreational use and proceeds to enjoy recreation with his nurse. Glenna (Kelli Garner), tells Ig that she loved him from childhood, and the waitress in the local coffee shop (Heather Graham) expresses fantasies of her anticipated behavior at Ig’s trial, where she plans to become a media darling. Even Ig’s own mom wishes her son would go away and leave her alone, Ig’s father recapitulating the woman’s hostility. Only one person, Lee (Max Minghella), a public defender who once saved Ig from drowning, is on Ig’s side.
As the horns continue growing, surreal events occur to the great credit of the special effects department, which stands ready and willing to transform the wronged young man should he restore faith in God. But Ig is having too much fun controlling the actions of those with whom he communicates to give up the Devil’s decoration.
Strong performances particularly from Daniel Radcliffe and spectacular lensing in Vancouver outskirts standing in for Washington State are big pluses.
Rated R. 123 minutes. © 2014 by Harvey Karten, Member, New York Film Critics Online
Story – B
Acting – B+
Technical – A-
Overall – B+
