Psychological thrillers that take place with an isolated
group of people in a cabin are a dime a dozen (I’m sure you’ve seen a few in
your time) and you’ll be forgiven for overlooking the film Barricade (2012). Terrance
Shade (Eric McCormack) is still not over the accidental death of his wife Leah
(Jody Thompson) but he’s been thrust into caring for his two young
children. In order to get to know his
children better (because taking care of the children was what his wife did
best) he takes them to their cabin in the woods where their mother grew up.
The moment Terrance and his kids get to the cabin he is
reminded of his wife and the guilt that he has over her death but that doesn’t
scratch the surface of what he is about to be thrust into as he soon begins to
think that maybe they are not alone at the cabin and that an outside force may
be trying to get inside. Now Terrance
will do whatever it takes to keep his family safe but he’ll have to come to
terms with the guilt over his wife and become the father he’s never been in
order to not only save and protect his children but himself as well.
In any typical film with this set up I wouldn’t really give
it the time of day but this film actually has a really intelligent script by
Michaelbrent Collins who manages to always make the film about character
instead of the next “jump scare.” The
film hinges on McCormack’s better than expected performance as Terrance, a man
with newfound responsibility and journey to becoming a better father. Directed by Andrew Currie the film has a
great look especially when the action shifts to the snow covered landscape of
the cabin. The film betrays its horror
film roots by actually continuing to be character driven even when fantasy and
reality start to meld together in the third act.
This is one of the better films out there that definitely
deserves a look at.
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