This late decade entry horror film perfectly encapsulates Tuesday’s theme of Supernatural Spooks. It takes the haunted house concept and runs away with it. Far, far away. Until it becomes something wholly new. Above all, it lives up to its name in a massive way. Terrified is terrifying.
Writer/director Demián Rugna delivers a master class in scare crafting in his pursuit of achieving just one single goal: scaring you silly. He nails it. Your homework assignment for the day is simple – wait until dark, turn all the lights off, and hit play on this Shudder title. You can thank us for the nightmares later.
Synopsis: A normal Buenos Aires neighborhood street becomes inundated with inexplicable happenings. Voices heard from the depths of the kitchen sink, bodies levitating in the middle of the night, and a series of spooky occurrences see a cop on the cusp of retirement calling in a trio of paranormal experts to get to the bottom of the neighborhood’s nightmares incarnate.
Key Players: Maximiliano Ghione stars as police commissioner Maza. Elvira Onetto, Norberto Gonzalo, and George L. Lewis play paranormal experts Allbreck, Jano and Rosentock, respectively.
Why It’s on the List: Because while everyone might be entitled to one good scare on Halloween, Terrified delivers countless scares. Moreover, Rugna keeps the viewer in the dark. The story might be centered on a trio of paranormal experts trying to solve the mysterious supernatural event rocking this neighborhood, but those looking for clear, concise answers will be disappointed. But in many ways, that makes this even scarier. How do you begin to fight back when you have no idea who, what, where, or why these things are happening? Rugna’s answer: You don’t. He wants you just as powerless as his characters in fighting off the chills.
Trailer Done Right: This quick trailer gives nothing away. Not the major scare scenes, not the plot. Not even many of the characters. Just some teases of unsettling imagery and tone.
Where You Can Watch: Terrified is a Shudder original, now streaming.