The Complex (Review)
Japan/2013
Format Viewed For Review: Netflix Instant
Netflix Streaming: No
Amazon Prime: No
"The combination of the been-there-done-that
story and the ridiculously slow pace create an often dull movie."
Nursing
student Asuka Ninomiya (Atsuko Maeda) moves into an apartment complex
with her family. All is well until she begins to witness strange
occurrences in the complex...
The Complex follows Asuka as she
settles in her new home. She tries to meet her elderly neighbor, but to
no avail – the man does not answer. In the meantime, she goes to school
and befriends a young boy at the park. While living in the apartment,
she hears her neighbor's alarm and strange scratching on her wall; she
also witnesses her parents having the same conversations multiple times,
which is a blatant hint of what's to come. At this point or so, the film reveals some of
its 'twists.' Unfortunately, it's the same old bag of tricks. To be
blunt, if you've watched hundreds of films in your life, you'll see
everything coming from a mile away. The ending still packs a nice punch,
though, so it's not an 'all-is-lost' situation.
The Complex is a
fairly generic horror film, which is utterly disappointing to admit.
The film wants to surprise you, but it fails due to relying on cliches
for its twists and turns. Yet, the generic story isn't the worst part of
the film. No, this is also a very slow film. Trust me, I love a great
slow-burn horror film, much like the director's most iconic effort,
Ringu, but this film is too slow for its own good. It spends more time
showing us the environment and steady facial expressions than developing
the story and the characters. Asuka is a reflection, or possibly the
reason, for this pace as she's incredibly lethargic during most of the
film. We spend so much time watching her perambulate and contemplate, we
barely get to know her! The combination of the been-there-done-that
story and the ridiculously slow pace create an often dull movie.
I
wouldn't say it's a bad or downright boring film, though. Yes, it has a
predictable plot, a slow pace, and some consequently dull moments, but
it also has some strong aspects. Although the story is generic, I did
enjoy delving into themes of grief, loneliness, and regret. It adds a
pinch of substance we don't often see in horror films. In terms of
horror, this film won't conjure any nightmares. Yet, it still offers
some moderate suspense and some eerie imagery. I wish there was a
stronger focus on the horror, but some is better than none. Some of the
scenes are unintentionally humorous, especially towards the end, but
those scenes are fortunately limited. Speaking of the end, I thought the
final act was executed much better than the rest of the film,
especially in terms of character development and horror.
The
acting is good. Atsuko Maeda delivers a good performance as the leading
lady. As I said, her character is rather lethargic, but Atsuko plays the
character well enough. Hiorki Narimiya, who plays Sasahara in this
film, also delivers a great performance. The film is shot very well. The
camerawork is splendid, creating an engaging connection to the
audience. The music is also great – the humming really sticks with you.
The film is directed by Hideo Nakata, and written by Junya Kato and
Ryuta Miyake. Although I appreciate the deep themes, the writing failed
to offer an interesting and creative narrative. Nakata's direction is
the saving grace of this film, creating an engaging and often spooky
experience out of something we've seen many times before.
Overall,
The Complex is a decent film. The narrative is something we've seen
many times before. Although it eagerly wants to surprise you, it fails
at delivering a unique or astonishing experience. The shockingly slow
pace does not help. However, thanks to Hideo Nakata's direction, the
performances, and the poignant themes, the film still manages to engage
and even occasionally frighten. I'd recommend a rental or stream at
most, even for big fans of Ringu or Nakata's other work.
Score: 5/10
Parental Guide: Some blood.
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