‘Masterpiece’ horror movie that’s one of the best ever made | Films | Entertainment

There’s something about horror films that makes you want to look away, but you just can’t. Over the last few decades, some truly unforgettable horror movies have terrified audiences around the world. The Exorcist, The Shining, Hereditary, Get Out, and It Follows are just a few that come to mind.

But while these films are widely known, there are some “hidden gems” that remain under the radar. One of them is The Empty Man, and some horror fans now say it’s one of the greatest masterpieces ever made. Released in 2020, The Empty Man is a supernatural horror film about an ex-cop who investigates a missing girl and uncovers a sinister cult. It stars James Badge Dale and Marin Ireland and is based on the graphic novel by Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey.

The film had a rocky start. It was shot in 2017 but delayed several times before finally hitting cinemas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It made just $4.8 million worldwide on a $16 million budget and was largely ignored at the time.

But after being released on streaming platforms, opinions began to shift. Viewers who gave it a second chance started calling it “one of the best horror films” they’d ever seen.

“For me, it’s a hidden gem of modern horror cinema,” one person said. “The film ratings put me off watching it for a while, but I loved every second and now I think it’s one of the best horror films ever made.”

Another review read: “One of the greatest cosmic horror films ever made. David Prior’s film is an unsung masterpiece of dread and unknowable terror.

“James Badge Dale is an outstanding lead, the visuals are wild, the music is eerily haunting, and the writing is very clever.”

Some also praised the pacing and complexity of the plot. “By the end of the film your brain will have danced itself into a knot,” one viewer said. “This film will simultaneously have you on the edge of your seat and terrified curled in a blanket.”

Another fan added: “I’m usually resistant to jumping on the ‘hidden gem’ bandwagon, but holy crap, this knocked my socks off. Truly original, scary, thought-provoking and trippy as hell with the ending.”

Many others called it “one of the best horror movies I ever saw” and said they “highly recommend” it.

But not everyone agreed. Some said it was “surreal nonsense,” while others felt it was “disjointed and boring all the way to the last five minutes”.

Despite its mixed reception, The Empty Man now holds a 76% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and has developed somewhat of a cult following.

The Empty Man is available to stream on Disney+. It can also be rented or bought on Prime Video.