This is actually a good movie to watch when your just alone and want to see something by yourself............................................. I see a lot of reviews on this movie talking bad about it .. Some say it ruined a date or wasn't entertaining, that makes me believe those comments come from people who always expect a movie to have nudes and sexy scenes to help them get laid or from kids who just like cool Michael Bay explosions.............................................. This is a slow paced movie and its just what it was intended to be, like for example "sin city" in movies like that you cant expect total realism, there's some art in it. its not great but not bad too...... the end.
210 Reviews
Not ready for prime time.
tavitatata11 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Let me just mention the positives first. The shot compositions are beautiful for a lot of this movie. I kept thinking I bet a photographer directed this. I looked it up and sure enough a photographer directed this movie. Not just a photographer, but an exceptional one. His work is evocative and beautiful. I'm not sure he really understands cinematography and editing though.
A girl is recruited for her intellect and trained for 10 years to turn the tables on a gang of murders. None of the training is shown except for a few scenes in which, despite having 10 years of training, the girls seems like a beginner. The fight scenes are edited to mask the fact that clearly, this 10 year trained assassin looks like someone who just walked into a gym for the first time and was asked to stand in a boxing stance.
Because you know from the start of the movie that the girl has been training, essentially, all her life to fight these guys, you never get the sense that she is in any real danger or that the outcome is ever in question. There's no real suspense to this film. Plus she drugs three of them with a hallucinogenic before the encounter. So we have a 10 year trained assassin against 4 untrained, unsuspecting, drugged yahoos. She should have torn through them like a pitbull through a fresh steak. Instead, the story drags out due to one contrivance or another and some boring melodrama until, SURPRISE, she wins and becomes the final girl. I totally did not see that coming.
The actors try their best but their performance lack gravitas. I don't think it's all their fault though, what more could they do with a script that seems threadbare and devoid of any subtext whatsoever.
Everything just seemed like an excuse to make a few beautiful photographic compositions. The rest is utterly forgettable.
It's a strange byproduct of the digital age of film making that anyone with a moderate amount of money and time can make a film. So many films have been produced so quickly that there aren't enough great film ideas to keep top tier talent working, directors and actors. So every month you have a ton of half baked films featuring high caliber actors who have to keep working just to pay the bills. Sure the digital revolution has democratized film making, but you have to shovel through mountains of crap to find a decent one nowadays.
A girl is recruited for her intellect and trained for 10 years to turn the tables on a gang of murders. None of the training is shown except for a few scenes in which, despite having 10 years of training, the girls seems like a beginner. The fight scenes are edited to mask the fact that clearly, this 10 year trained assassin looks like someone who just walked into a gym for the first time and was asked to stand in a boxing stance.
Because you know from the start of the movie that the girl has been training, essentially, all her life to fight these guys, you never get the sense that she is in any real danger or that the outcome is ever in question. There's no real suspense to this film. Plus she drugs three of them with a hallucinogenic before the encounter. So we have a 10 year trained assassin against 4 untrained, unsuspecting, drugged yahoos. She should have torn through them like a pitbull through a fresh steak. Instead, the story drags out due to one contrivance or another and some boring melodrama until, SURPRISE, she wins and becomes the final girl. I totally did not see that coming.
The actors try their best but their performance lack gravitas. I don't think it's all their fault though, what more could they do with a script that seems threadbare and devoid of any subtext whatsoever.
Everything just seemed like an excuse to make a few beautiful photographic compositions. The rest is utterly forgettable.
It's a strange byproduct of the digital age of film making that anyone with a moderate amount of money and time can make a film. So many films have been produced so quickly that there aren't enough great film ideas to keep top tier talent working, directors and actors. So every month you have a ton of half baked films featuring high caliber actors who have to keep working just to pay the bills. Sure the digital revolution has democratized film making, but you have to shovel through mountains of crap to find a decent one nowadays.
OK, but could have been better
nowego4 June 2018
This movie had quite a lot of familiar names for me and with all those names should have been better. It gets let down by the script and the casting of the lead Abigail Breslin.
The rest of the actors do on the whole a pretty good job and overlooking Abigail Breslin's obvious miscasting this was an entertaining movie to watch. Just don't expect too much going in.
Wes Bentley, Cameron Bright, Alexander Ludwig and Francesca Eastwood are all actors I have seen before and their performances while good are let down by the unpolished script dialogue.
The movie is quite short at 78 minutes before the credits and the story is quite good, but for one glaring plot hole.
I gave this a 5.5 rounded up to a 6/10, which is better than the current average on here, it could have easily been an 8 with some work on the script and a more appropriate lead actress.
The rest of the actors do on the whole a pretty good job and overlooking Abigail Breslin's obvious miscasting this was an entertaining movie to watch. Just don't expect too much going in.
Wes Bentley, Cameron Bright, Alexander Ludwig and Francesca Eastwood are all actors I have seen before and their performances while good are let down by the unpolished script dialogue.
The movie is quite short at 78 minutes before the credits and the story is quite good, but for one glaring plot hole.
I gave this a 5.5 rounded up to a 6/10, which is better than the current average on here, it could have easily been an 8 with some work on the script and a more appropriate lead actress.
For badly implied reasons a little girl is adopted by an assassin and trained to kill four murderers
shailakumbhare-837197 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS This film left me with a lot of questions and I've come to realize that the answer to every single one of them is "because it is a dumb and senseless movie." Here are a few for you to sample: How did these murderers who are in high school kill William's wife and daughter over ten years ago? Did they kill them when they were 6 years old? Why doesn't William just kill them himself or turn them into the police? Why are they waiting ten years to train this little girl while other women are being murdered when they already know who the killers are and could stop them? Why does Veronica have a crush on William? He adopted her when she was a little girl and is basically her father. Isn't this messed up? Why does William tickle her? That was so weird! Why do they choke out that random guy at the bar? Why can't she just shoot them? If a gun without bullets is a paperweight why can't she just take more bullets? Why isn't she allowed to wear shoes? If she's going to drug them why can't she just poison them? What woman in their right mind would wear formal attire and drive into the woods with four men they just met? Why does it take her so long to kill these bozos when she's been training for ten years and they are drugged? Why is this guy so scared of pandas? I thought she wasn't allowed to use a gun so why does William shoot the last guy? Why didn't he shoot them ten years ago? If he was there the whole time with a gun why was he letting her try and fist fight them to death when he could have easily killed them? Who made this movie? Who reviewed the script and thought "this is good"? How was this disaster ever made?
I dunno that I have EVER seen a more under-developed plot.
witster1829 December 2015
This is a terrible film. Not bad. Terrible.
I have seen about 60 films from 2015.. maybe more. Right now this is the worst one that I've seen.
Never have I seen a film that seemed so disinterested in telling me anything about how or why these people are who they are. The backstories are non-existent. We care nothing for these characters. The writing is awful. And in the end - you just have to ask yourself "why".
I just can't grasp how any film-maker would want to release such an incomplete mess of a film. It's really a bit disrespectful to the viewers if you ask me. You plop down in the middle of these characters lives, and there's seemingly a ton of potentially interesting material that put them where they are... you get NOTHING.
The end is a mess too.
The film feels like the last 10 minutes of a stage play you walked in on. A bunch of crap that you don't know why is going-on, only in this case it wouldn't have mattered if you had sat through he first 85 minutes because the film gave you NOTHING!
Worse than Pixels, worse than anything else this year...
You got me Final Girl... You got me;).. Breslin... stylish looking trailer... you got me.
Trash! 33/100.
Go rent the very average Final GirlS instead... it's not great, but it's an Oscar contender next to this junk.
Pass... don't say I didn't warn you.
I have seen about 60 films from 2015.. maybe more. Right now this is the worst one that I've seen.
Never have I seen a film that seemed so disinterested in telling me anything about how or why these people are who they are. The backstories are non-existent. We care nothing for these characters. The writing is awful. And in the end - you just have to ask yourself "why".
I just can't grasp how any film-maker would want to release such an incomplete mess of a film. It's really a bit disrespectful to the viewers if you ask me. You plop down in the middle of these characters lives, and there's seemingly a ton of potentially interesting material that put them where they are... you get NOTHING.
The end is a mess too.
The film feels like the last 10 minutes of a stage play you walked in on. A bunch of crap that you don't know why is going-on, only in this case it wouldn't have mattered if you had sat through he first 85 minutes because the film gave you NOTHING!
Worse than Pixels, worse than anything else this year...
You got me Final Girl... You got me;).. Breslin... stylish looking trailer... you got me.
Trash! 33/100.
Go rent the very average Final GirlS instead... it's not great, but it's an Oscar contender next to this junk.
Pass... don't say I didn't warn you.
It should be good, but not very well made
fallyhag10 July 2015
I saw the trailer to this and it appealed to me. I like both the main actors. They have proved they are good. But this film doesn't take long before your realise it is a little cheap. Questionable dialogue and poor cinematography.
The story is neither here or there. I have seen worse. But the way it is executed just leaves you wondering if this was a student project. The build up to the climax is clumsy and made me chuckle a few times. Abigail is a fine actress but this film did nothing to help her. She just wasn't convincing in this role. Especially if I compare next to the film: Hannah.
So in summary; Weak story, poor production, bad cinematography and failed direction that lets the actors down. Not recommended.
The story is neither here or there. I have seen worse. But the way it is executed just leaves you wondering if this was a student project. The build up to the climax is clumsy and made me chuckle a few times. Abigail is a fine actress but this film did nothing to help her. She just wasn't convincing in this role. Especially if I compare next to the film: Hannah.
So in summary; Weak story, poor production, bad cinematography and failed direction that lets the actors down. Not recommended.
Prey becomes predator
weinuthkorrel8 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
There is something about hunted-to-hunter films that gets my adrenaline pumping. Final Girl is no exception.It is an entertaining movie for the aforementioned reason yet it has a few imperfections that prevent it from being even more entertaining.
The premise is simple: four male thrill-killers place would-be female victims in a "game" scenario in order to experience the thrill of the chase. Most of their quarries end up dead except for their latest "victim," Veronica.
It turns out that Veronica has been training for that one moment since childhood thanks to the mentoring of the man whose wife and child the quartet killed several years back. She uses her survival skills to turn the tables on the hunters and ends their killing spree once and for all.
The story is straightforward enough, with the rationale behind the thrill-killing at least partially (though not satisfactorily) explained. The action scenes are decently done and believable enough. For me, the highlights of the film lie in two scenes: one, where the quartet come face to face with their worst fears after Veronica drugs them; two, when Veronica attempts to "seduce" her teacher in the beginning only to be rebuffed.
Speaking of the character, Abigail Breslin does a decent job of portraying her assassin-type character. This is the first action- oriented role I've seen her in and she handles it acceptably well. However, the way that she handles it is the film's greatest strength and also its greatest weakness.
I've seen how Breslin handled her roles in Ender's Game and Maggie, and I looked forward to seeing how she handled this one. The good part about her portrayal is that she got the innocence, girl-next- door and fear portions down pat. Given her previous performances, it's no surprise at all.
The problem came in during the other scenes when she had to play the role of assassin. This, in my opinion, is where the movie could have been improved. In other words, Breslin was really good at the good girl parts, so much so that the assassin and seductress parts got left behind somewhat. There was noticeably less "oomph" when she had to switch from good girl mode to assassin mode or seductress mode. Her mentor and her assailants in the film looked more natural in their roles than she did in hers.
In all fairness to her, she looked like she was doing her best to be willful and deadly and menacing during the scenes when those qualities were called for. However, she still looked like she was groping about a little when trying to get the nuances of her character right. It may be that that was intentional and she was doing her best to act in a way that looked like she was unsure of herself (it was her character's acid test, after all). However it is also possible that she is simply not completely suited for or not used to an assassin-huntress role of that type and she is still finding her way.
In any case, I still enjoyed the movie and found it decently entertaining, if a bit predictable. Breslin's character portrayal isn't exactly at La Femme Nikita level yet, yet she can hold her own in an action film. I know that, with a little more practice, she can nail the nuances of a similar character down eventually in the future.
The premise is simple: four male thrill-killers place would-be female victims in a "game" scenario in order to experience the thrill of the chase. Most of their quarries end up dead except for their latest "victim," Veronica.
It turns out that Veronica has been training for that one moment since childhood thanks to the mentoring of the man whose wife and child the quartet killed several years back. She uses her survival skills to turn the tables on the hunters and ends their killing spree once and for all.
The story is straightforward enough, with the rationale behind the thrill-killing at least partially (though not satisfactorily) explained. The action scenes are decently done and believable enough. For me, the highlights of the film lie in two scenes: one, where the quartet come face to face with their worst fears after Veronica drugs them; two, when Veronica attempts to "seduce" her teacher in the beginning only to be rebuffed.
Speaking of the character, Abigail Breslin does a decent job of portraying her assassin-type character. This is the first action- oriented role I've seen her in and she handles it acceptably well. However, the way that she handles it is the film's greatest strength and also its greatest weakness.
I've seen how Breslin handled her roles in Ender's Game and Maggie, and I looked forward to seeing how she handled this one. The good part about her portrayal is that she got the innocence, girl-next- door and fear portions down pat. Given her previous performances, it's no surprise at all.
The problem came in during the other scenes when she had to play the role of assassin. This, in my opinion, is where the movie could have been improved. In other words, Breslin was really good at the good girl parts, so much so that the assassin and seductress parts got left behind somewhat. There was noticeably less "oomph" when she had to switch from good girl mode to assassin mode or seductress mode. Her mentor and her assailants in the film looked more natural in their roles than she did in hers.
In all fairness to her, she looked like she was doing her best to be willful and deadly and menacing during the scenes when those qualities were called for. However, she still looked like she was groping about a little when trying to get the nuances of her character right. It may be that that was intentional and she was doing her best to act in a way that looked like she was unsure of herself (it was her character's acid test, after all). However it is also possible that she is simply not completely suited for or not used to an assassin-huntress role of that type and she is still finding her way.
In any case, I still enjoyed the movie and found it decently entertaining, if a bit predictable. Breslin's character portrayal isn't exactly at La Femme Nikita level yet, yet she can hold her own in an action film. I know that, with a little more practice, she can nail the nuances of a similar character down eventually in the future.
A watchable student movie.
Garcwrites16 August 2015
There's no real set up, the trailer basically summed up the movie. You understand the relationship between the characters but beyond that you don't know much about them. It's nicely executed and overall the movie is watchable but it feels more like a student project with an interesting cast than anything else.
Final Girl is not thrilling or frightening, particularly if you've seen the trailer. The good thing about it is the pace, it has a nice pace but not a very exciting one. So if you have 90 minutes to kill why not watch this movie.
@wornoutspines
Final Girl is not thrilling or frightening, particularly if you've seen the trailer. The good thing about it is the pace, it has a nice pace but not a very exciting one. So if you have 90 minutes to kill why not watch this movie.
@wornoutspines
Best B-Movie I have ever, ever seen
A_Different_Drummer10 October 2016
... with the best setup.
Lets review.
A B-movie is at its essence where the producer (usually also the director and the writer) raises just enough money for the camera and the editing studio, period. Everything after that is barter or begging. Which is why the Bs usually feature a small cast and a limited choice of shooting locales. Like for an example, a diner and a forest.
A "setup" is the dramatic device that sets the tone for the rest of the film and prepares the audience.
This little gem as an "overlong setup" as Wes Bentley and Abagail Breslin spend a lot of time, just the two of them, training, as if this were some sort of MMA epic. Which of course it is not.
The setup runs over 20 minutes and -- who knew? -- it works a treat. Breslin is Jim dandy for the role but Bentley oddly enough gives the performance of his life. His crazy eyes and strange demeanour have never been uses so effectively in his entire career.
It is the brilliance of the overlong setup that carries the viewer into the second Act and the finale.
The highest compliment I can pay this film is this -- if they do a sequel, I will stand in line to see it.
And if Hollywood stole the idea and did a remake -- I would see that too.
Lets review.
A B-movie is at its essence where the producer (usually also the director and the writer) raises just enough money for the camera and the editing studio, period. Everything after that is barter or begging. Which is why the Bs usually feature a small cast and a limited choice of shooting locales. Like for an example, a diner and a forest.
A "setup" is the dramatic device that sets the tone for the rest of the film and prepares the audience.
This little gem as an "overlong setup" as Wes Bentley and Abagail Breslin spend a lot of time, just the two of them, training, as if this were some sort of MMA epic. Which of course it is not.
The setup runs over 20 minutes and -- who knew? -- it works a treat. Breslin is Jim dandy for the role but Bentley oddly enough gives the performance of his life. His crazy eyes and strange demeanour have never been uses so effectively in his entire career.
It is the brilliance of the overlong setup that carries the viewer into the second Act and the finale.
The highest compliment I can pay this film is this -- if they do a sequel, I will stand in line to see it.
And if Hollywood stole the idea and did a remake -- I would see that too.
Terrible pancake
Lele24 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Plot is childish. A 5 years old girl reacting as Veronica does when she's told her parents both died is a psychopath. And that's what we get 13 years later: a psycho killer. The trainer uses her as a lure, and when the four serial killers are gathered together in a care they are ready to be killed, aren't they? Nooo! Veronica has to kill them one by one to make the movie last some 20 minutes more.
Screenplay is embarrassing, but not enough to start the so-bad-so-good process. This is a so-bad-so-worse story.
Acting and/or casting is bad. I love Abigail Breslin, but here she is victim of a miscast. The role is not for her. Period.
Cinematography is ridiculous. Lights in the wood?
Plot holes are actually black holes. I want to remark something, hoping that someone will tell this to script writers. Why on Earth female avengers need to be trained while male vigilantes do everything by themselves???
Another remark. The four serial killers made 20 victims in a not so large town, as far as the viewer can understand. The murders go on for many years. Veronica trainer knows who they are. WTF is doing police???
Please don't waste your time with this movie, trust me.
Screenplay is embarrassing, but not enough to start the so-bad-so-good process. This is a so-bad-so-worse story.
Acting and/or casting is bad. I love Abigail Breslin, but here she is victim of a miscast. The role is not for her. Period.
Cinematography is ridiculous. Lights in the wood?
Plot holes are actually black holes. I want to remark something, hoping that someone will tell this to script writers. Why on Earth female avengers need to be trained while male vigilantes do everything by themselves???
Another remark. The four serial killers made 20 victims in a not so large town, as far as the viewer can understand. The murders go on for many years. Veronica trainer knows who they are. WTF is doing police???
Please don't waste your time with this movie, trust me.
Know What You're Getting Into
blowthebounty26 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
****MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**** It's a movie starring Wes Bentley and Abigail Breslin - c'mon. I knew what I was getting into. I wasn't expecting La Femme Nikita, and for people to compare it to that or Hannah is just ridiculous to me. If I expected every movie I watched to be an Oscar nominated, or an instant cult classic, I would be disappointed with 99% of the movies I watch. Sometimes it's fun to watch Schindler's List. And sometimes it's fun to watch Tommy Boy. This movie falls into the second category.
I took this movie for what it was - a carnival ride, complete with corny sideshow entertainment and cheap rides. I wanted action and I wanted cool chicks kicking ass and I wanted fun and I wanted to kill an hour or so and not have to think much about what I was watching. #winning Yes, I will agree with over reviews - for as well trained as she was, Veronica should have been better while fighting them. Also, drugging them made it seem drastically "unfair". Why not just drug them at the beginning with actual poison, save yourself the trouble of fighting? And yes, you can run out of bullets, Mr. Bentley, but why not have the gun as well, just in case?
But the throw back to old film noir, the photographic quality of the shoots, the stylization, I loved it. I loved that it was minimal, and I loved that it got to the juice of it right away. I loved how it looked like a spot light was used in every scene. I loved that she was always, ALWAYS, in a dress, and Bentley was always, ALWAYS, in a suit. I loved the way she interacted with the boys, the corny one-liners and dialogue.
And can I just say that I would watch a full hour and a half long movie with Danny Boy alone, just doing what he did. I was IN. LOVE. with him. He outshined Alexander Ludwig, IMO.
If you want something entertaining, this movie is a good choice. Would I have paid $13 to watch it in a theatre? No. But for a movie night at home, it was awesome. And I will definitely watch it again.
I took this movie for what it was - a carnival ride, complete with corny sideshow entertainment and cheap rides. I wanted action and I wanted cool chicks kicking ass and I wanted fun and I wanted to kill an hour or so and not have to think much about what I was watching. #winning Yes, I will agree with over reviews - for as well trained as she was, Veronica should have been better while fighting them. Also, drugging them made it seem drastically "unfair". Why not just drug them at the beginning with actual poison, save yourself the trouble of fighting? And yes, you can run out of bullets, Mr. Bentley, but why not have the gun as well, just in case?
But the throw back to old film noir, the photographic quality of the shoots, the stylization, I loved it. I loved that it was minimal, and I loved that it got to the juice of it right away. I loved how it looked like a spot light was used in every scene. I loved that she was always, ALWAYS, in a dress, and Bentley was always, ALWAYS, in a suit. I loved the way she interacted with the boys, the corny one-liners and dialogue.
And can I just say that I would watch a full hour and a half long movie with Danny Boy alone, just doing what he did. I was IN. LOVE. with him. He outshined Alexander Ludwig, IMO.
If you want something entertaining, this movie is a good choice. Would I have paid $13 to watch it in a theatre? No. But for a movie night at home, it was awesome. And I will definitely watch it again.
Shadowy Exteriors
billygoat107110 July 2015
Final Girl is basically putting the Hit-Girl trope to the slasher genre, which can be a pretty cool concept. The film's style is some sort of a fancy old-school mystery film, highlighting shadows and silhouettes through creaking walls, cafeterias and streets. Visually appealing stuff, rather enjoyed for being effectively overly campy for its low budget. But the story itself is just downright silly and even worse, meaningless. The movie sets up a little girl training to beat up dangerous men, but it instead lead us to a number of strange events, which results to such polarizing schlock.
Even for its shoddiness, the weird style could still be admired for being way too campy. The story centers on a secret organization that hires vigilantes, and everything else about them is a huge mystery. We only see two characters in their dark shadowy headquarters; it's either for the sake of being extremely minimal, or just really underdeveloped. But the important thing is, they're hiring a young girl to fight off their targets. In spite of training and even raising her in this cold- blooded environment, the main character, Veronica, still doesn't seem like she's as strong or as unfeeling as she is supposed to be. It makes everyone wonder what exactly did she train throughout her childhood. She's not given much of an arc either. The film just presumes that she is not competent enough at some points. It can be a useful good to bring some suspense, but instead, she is given an incredible dose of deus ex machina in this "daring mission" that would easily take down her targets.
While it makes the whole mission a lot weirder, all we see is just some amateurish looking acid trip that is supposed to represent their fear, but looks more totally random than disturbing. The fighting is hidden behind the vague shadows and the on screen blood is very reserved. All the slasher/gory fun is replaced with artsy pretentiousness. And for some reason, that can also be one of the benefits of the film. In a typical mindset, the experience may just be some terribly shot mindless violence on screen. Not saying that this approach is anything fresh or superior at all, it's just pretty rare that it manages to do something a little different. It brings some tongue-in-cheek characters, blanketing their shadows into some exteriors with lighting fetishes (the headlights of the gang's car is super strong enough to shine the entire forest). The movie brings some flavor, but it didn't gloss over enough about the fact how pointless this story all was. The acting is fine, they're basically as campy as the cinematography.
Final Girl is a cool looking film with a pretty ridiculous story that lacks severe subtext. The movie may have painted a lot of interesting shadows through its darkness which makes it effectively campy as hell, add some symmetry that somewhat turn buildings into dollhouses, make headlights spotlighting every hallucination, and characters chew the scenery because it's more intimidating that way, but then it's all just pretty images. It all lacks grotesque and gore, or even more important: meaning. While it's reasonably to get fascinated by a typical B-movie's decision have such obsession with silhouettes and lights, the story just doesn't make any sense in the end.
Even for its shoddiness, the weird style could still be admired for being way too campy. The story centers on a secret organization that hires vigilantes, and everything else about them is a huge mystery. We only see two characters in their dark shadowy headquarters; it's either for the sake of being extremely minimal, or just really underdeveloped. But the important thing is, they're hiring a young girl to fight off their targets. In spite of training and even raising her in this cold- blooded environment, the main character, Veronica, still doesn't seem like she's as strong or as unfeeling as she is supposed to be. It makes everyone wonder what exactly did she train throughout her childhood. She's not given much of an arc either. The film just presumes that she is not competent enough at some points. It can be a useful good to bring some suspense, but instead, she is given an incredible dose of deus ex machina in this "daring mission" that would easily take down her targets.
While it makes the whole mission a lot weirder, all we see is just some amateurish looking acid trip that is supposed to represent their fear, but looks more totally random than disturbing. The fighting is hidden behind the vague shadows and the on screen blood is very reserved. All the slasher/gory fun is replaced with artsy pretentiousness. And for some reason, that can also be one of the benefits of the film. In a typical mindset, the experience may just be some terribly shot mindless violence on screen. Not saying that this approach is anything fresh or superior at all, it's just pretty rare that it manages to do something a little different. It brings some tongue-in-cheek characters, blanketing their shadows into some exteriors with lighting fetishes (the headlights of the gang's car is super strong enough to shine the entire forest). The movie brings some flavor, but it didn't gloss over enough about the fact how pointless this story all was. The acting is fine, they're basically as campy as the cinematography.
Final Girl is a cool looking film with a pretty ridiculous story that lacks severe subtext. The movie may have painted a lot of interesting shadows through its darkness which makes it effectively campy as hell, add some symmetry that somewhat turn buildings into dollhouses, make headlights spotlighting every hallucination, and characters chew the scenery because it's more intimidating that way, but then it's all just pretty images. It all lacks grotesque and gore, or even more important: meaning. While it's reasonably to get fascinated by a typical B-movie's decision have such obsession with silhouettes and lights, the story just doesn't make any sense in the end.
Entertaining But Not Really Superb
tabuno13 January 2019
24 March 2016. It wasn't Abigail Breslin's fault I assume, but the script just didn't allow her to really shine in this movie. Her martial arts, well her kick-boxing skills or taking apart and putting together a weapon just weren't on par for as long as she trained for example as La Femme Nikita (1990), Elektra (2005), Hannah (2011) Daisy and Violet (2011), or Miss Meadows (2014). There was too much light in the darkened forest which was too unrealistic. As for the hallucination horror scenes, they weren't on par with such classics as The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Cell (2000), Silent Hill (2006), Black Death (2010). As a thriller, the movie did have a consistently and understandable plot, with some wry humor, and decent acting, and an atmosphere in this nevertheless predicable movie. But it could have been better.
a complete waste of electricity...
g-7843518 July 2015
Seriously ? This picture got made ? Even the paper used to print the script was a waste of good material.
It gets a one star rating only because it is useful to show to film students as a lesson on how-not-to write and develop a concept... and should be useful as a map to the waste basket.
Actors can take on any project for a workout. Why anyone would go all the way to actually shooting this thing is a mystery though.
I could go on but i think this rotten egg fried itself well enough.
If there weren't a ten line minimum i would not have wasted even this much energy to write the review... But maybe someone out there will be spared the trouble of watching this tripe when they surely have something better to do.
It gets a one star rating only because it is useful to show to film students as a lesson on how-not-to write and develop a concept... and should be useful as a map to the waste basket.
Actors can take on any project for a workout. Why anyone would go all the way to actually shooting this thing is a mystery though.
I could go on but i think this rotten egg fried itself well enough.
If there weren't a ten line minimum i would not have wasted even this much energy to write the review... But maybe someone out there will be spared the trouble of watching this tripe when they surely have something better to do.
Awful
Natasha198712 September 2015
I'm shocked by all the good reviews here... I just can't understand how can someone like this movie, especially if you've seen more than one movie in your life... I mean, the only way I think a person can like this movie is if they've never seen another movie in their entire life. This movie is so bad that I can't even describe all the bad things about it. All I can say is AVOID WATCHING THIS MOVIE. Even the little basic and obvious things aren't made right- it's raining and nobody's getting wet? seriously? Her dress was covered with mud and suddenly it's all clean and new? If you want your movie to be taken seriously at least make it right. Not to mention the bad acting of most of the characters except maybe the main one- Abigail Breslin. Well, I will spare you more negativity and will just finish here. But seriously, don't watch it, it's a waste of time.
I fell asleep
petsitterlyn-4901213 September 2019
I'm a big Wes Bentley fan, and Miss Breslin is growing into a real beauty....but what a boring film. When the antics in the woods started, right around panda-time, I lost interest. It had the opportunity to become a cult classic with its dry rhythm, but then just got predictable and kinda dumb, and no fault of Bentley or Breslin's acting chops, rather poorly written and directed.
Clipping your toenails is more entertaining than this film
karinmcintosh21 March 2016
This is one of the worst films I have seen. I think Abigail is a good actress, but anything physical she did in this movie was completely unbelievable as in I didn't buy it for a second. The worst fight scenes in history. I wish I were able to give a movie a 0 out of 10. The acting was incredibly corny, the lighting was terrible, everyone stood in the rain constantly and never got wet, physically it is obvious that Abigail isn't beating up a rabbit in this movie let alone a group of strong post pubescent young men who could put her down easily with one hit. I could go on and on, but there's no need. This movie is a time vacuum as you can never get back the time you wasted watching it.
Was it all really done for ice cream?
selfdestructo5 June 2023
Final Girl had an awesome setup, right through Truth or Dare, and an insanely disappointing, anti-climactic "hunt".
I thought this movie was fairly unusual (although the more recent Ready or Not explores similar ground). Combining horror, film noir, revenge, and an assasin, is not something I see every day. (Well, a horror premise, not so much in execution).
This was cool and stylish, with great cinematography. Not sure what decade it was supposed to be. I thought the 50's, but they were playing surf music in the car! Then again, I think they were driving a 60's car.
I did like Abigail Breslin as the kick-ass assasin, although she could've trained harder. A lot of the action was unconvincing. I'm sure the director should be blamed there, too. And, someone was a wrestling fan. FAR too many chokeholds. I'd much rather see Veronica kick those psychopath's asses.
Speaking of which, the final hunt. This is where you go overboard in a revenge flick. The kills, all of them, were downright weak. I think if this movie had gruesome kills (as well as better fighting), it could potentially be a cult movie in the future. As it stands, opportunity squandered.
I thought this movie was fairly unusual (although the more recent Ready or Not explores similar ground). Combining horror, film noir, revenge, and an assasin, is not something I see every day. (Well, a horror premise, not so much in execution).
This was cool and stylish, with great cinematography. Not sure what decade it was supposed to be. I thought the 50's, but they were playing surf music in the car! Then again, I think they were driving a 60's car.
I did like Abigail Breslin as the kick-ass assasin, although she could've trained harder. A lot of the action was unconvincing. I'm sure the director should be blamed there, too. And, someone was a wrestling fan. FAR too many chokeholds. I'd much rather see Veronica kick those psychopath's asses.
Speaking of which, the final hunt. This is where you go overboard in a revenge flick. The kills, all of them, were downright weak. I think if this movie had gruesome kills (as well as better fighting), it could potentially be a cult movie in the future. As it stands, opportunity squandered.
Plot like a colander
Bill_Jensen5 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Not so much plot holes as one big plot chasm. Why go through all this complication to take out four hoodlums? William could have done it himself in a heartbeat. And what were the police doing in this town where more than a dozen young women have already disappeared? It's hard to believe no one could figure out who was at the bottom of it. As for the girls themselves: by the time several have already disappeared, is the next potential victim really going to agree to get in a car with four guys at night and drive off to wherever they decide to take her? And when she does, nobody remembers that they are the last people she was seen with? You can enjoy this movie, maybe, if you want something to fill up time with your brain in neutral, but otherwise there are just too many holes.
Perfectly rendered horror-thriller - too perfect.
I_Ailurophile24 October 2021
Beautiful filming locations, and careful mindfulness for costume design, hair, and makeup, readily contrast with the immediacy and severity of the premise, and the narrative that wastes absolutely no time. Marc Canham's score, lending ambience - the construction of every scene, including lighting, dialogue, and the smallest of details - and the very notions underlying the narrative indicate a feature blending together both action and the horror-thriller. Though we're not readily sold, 'Final girl' works very hard from the start to grab and hold our attention.
Rounding details of the plot - the how, the why, background - are left unclear, or omitted outright. Sharp, precise dialogue, snappy pacing, and the meticulous construction of every scene engenders a sense that the writing and execution is too perfect to such an extent as to be ham-handed, or feeling artificial, or fantastical. Case in point: lovingly composed hair, swaying in the breeze and remaining dry in a rainstorm. Yet every single facet is considered with total deliberation, seemingly laid out with utmost painstaking intention. If this is fantasy, it is the darkest fantasy. If it is artifice, it's the most exquisite artifice. If it's ham-handed, it's only to disarm us and move quickly into the most intense and stimulating segments of the narrative.
I repeat myself, but only for necessary emphasis: Every scene is crafted with the most loving, attentive thoughtfulness. Intelligent exploration of the space pairs with impeccable, polished employment of lighting to build eye-catching visions with calculated artistry. And with that fastidious design decisively established, the assembled cast leans into that slant with forceful, electric performances. That's true for everyone, but Abigail Breslin most of all. Its been a long time since she was that sweet little girl in 'Little Miss Sunshine,' but Breslin's turn as Veronica is especially vivid and violent, demanding poise, nuance, and physicality that she manages deftly.
There's an argument to be made that 'Final girl' is too perfect, too scrupulously premeditated. And that's not incorrect. In a runtime of just under 90 minutes - as invigorating as the film is, the entire length passes without true visceral thrills, suspense, or any sense of the inherent horror that the scenario portends. Adam Prince's screenplay is sound, Tyler Shields' direction is technically flawless, and every actor's performance is exact. But the unerring expertise with which the movie has been realized seems to purposefully excise the excitement that would bring us back for more, or make it a strong recommendation to our fellows. Unblemished quality only means so much if the result eschews passion.
Every frame is a work of art. Every passing moment of delivery and movement from the cast is aces. Every word typed onto a page that resulted in this film is a masterpiece. The finished product is not - it's just too pristine for its own good. To be sure, this is highly enjoyable, and the excellence of its craft deserves great praise. But an action horror-thriller that doesn't want its audience to feel anything isn't an action horror-thriller at all. 'Final girl' is entertaining, and worth checking out, but just temper your expectations with the caveat that the filmmakers went about their work with a mind for art over heart.
Rounding details of the plot - the how, the why, background - are left unclear, or omitted outright. Sharp, precise dialogue, snappy pacing, and the meticulous construction of every scene engenders a sense that the writing and execution is too perfect to such an extent as to be ham-handed, or feeling artificial, or fantastical. Case in point: lovingly composed hair, swaying in the breeze and remaining dry in a rainstorm. Yet every single facet is considered with total deliberation, seemingly laid out with utmost painstaking intention. If this is fantasy, it is the darkest fantasy. If it is artifice, it's the most exquisite artifice. If it's ham-handed, it's only to disarm us and move quickly into the most intense and stimulating segments of the narrative.
I repeat myself, but only for necessary emphasis: Every scene is crafted with the most loving, attentive thoughtfulness. Intelligent exploration of the space pairs with impeccable, polished employment of lighting to build eye-catching visions with calculated artistry. And with that fastidious design decisively established, the assembled cast leans into that slant with forceful, electric performances. That's true for everyone, but Abigail Breslin most of all. Its been a long time since she was that sweet little girl in 'Little Miss Sunshine,' but Breslin's turn as Veronica is especially vivid and violent, demanding poise, nuance, and physicality that she manages deftly.
There's an argument to be made that 'Final girl' is too perfect, too scrupulously premeditated. And that's not incorrect. In a runtime of just under 90 minutes - as invigorating as the film is, the entire length passes without true visceral thrills, suspense, or any sense of the inherent horror that the scenario portends. Adam Prince's screenplay is sound, Tyler Shields' direction is technically flawless, and every actor's performance is exact. But the unerring expertise with which the movie has been realized seems to purposefully excise the excitement that would bring us back for more, or make it a strong recommendation to our fellows. Unblemished quality only means so much if the result eschews passion.
Every frame is a work of art. Every passing moment of delivery and movement from the cast is aces. Every word typed onto a page that resulted in this film is a masterpiece. The finished product is not - it's just too pristine for its own good. To be sure, this is highly enjoyable, and the excellence of its craft deserves great praise. But an action horror-thriller that doesn't want its audience to feel anything isn't an action horror-thriller at all. 'Final girl' is entertaining, and worth checking out, but just temper your expectations with the caveat that the filmmakers went about their work with a mind for art over heart.
So So Dumb
shermantlee15 April 2023
Probably one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Nothing makes sense. It feels like a weird bad dream. Whoever wrote this should find a new career. I don't understand how this was released after people watched it. Why was she trained as a child to kill 4 serial killers that were her own age? Who was this creepy grooming trainer who adopted her after her parents were mysteriously killed? How were these 4 serial killers not caught prior to this? Why was the axe guy from a 50's mobster movie? Why was the girls trainer watching this all play out without any help? Why was there a spotlight in the forest all the time? Why was noone wet despite the constant rain? These are just a few of the questions that I have after watching this hot mess express! This wasn't funny bad just bad.
A genre bending film.
KarlFranksMrGeeky21 April 2019
My spoiler free review for The Bloody Asylum that can be found at WordPress, Mr Geeky blog:
This gem of a film initially came to my attention because of Abigail Breslin being the lead. Anyone who knows me will know that one of my favourite films is the unjustly underrated Maggie from 2015, in which she co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Abigail Breslin despite being only in her 20s has been acting for nearly 20 years. Her first feature film role was in M. Night Shaymalan's Signs way back in 2002. She then went on to appear in the highly acclaimed Little Miss Sunshine, Oscar nominated for her scene stealing performance. However, she is more widely known by horror fans for Zombieland and the series Scream Queens.
The final girl, as horror fans will know, refers to the last female survivor of most slasher films. The title Final Girl intentionally wrong foots the audience, being a film that is quite a bit different from that which its title suggests, feeling unique and very unpredictable. It combines elements of the slasher genre, along with La Femme Nikkita, and The Most Dangerous Game in the World. The film-makers take the expected genre tropes of these films, yet gives them an unexpected spin. Although it does use some slasher conventions there is very little blood and gore. The story itself is told in a linear form, whereas the feeling is a non-linear narrative would have added more of a mystery to the events as they unfolded.
While it does have some faults, Final Girl is a really solid debut feature film from photographer Tyler Shields that overcomes these faults. The really impressive aspect is look of the film, so obviously from the eye of a photographer. However, while at times stunning to look at the film would have benefited from a more grittier feel.
The real strength of the film lies with the cast. Abigail Breslin, Wes Bentley of The Hunger Games and American Beauty, and Alexander Ludwig, more widely known for the TV series The Vikings and The Hunger Games, being the standouts. However, a little more depth to the characters would have made the film as a whole as engaging as the performances.
The Final Girl is a hugely enjoyable film with some depth to its themes. At times it feels like it is spoofing the genres of film it references, but made by fans of those genres. At 80 minutes long it rattles along and is never boring.
For those looking for something that is a little different and unpredictable you could do far worse.
This gem of a film initially came to my attention because of Abigail Breslin being the lead. Anyone who knows me will know that one of my favourite films is the unjustly underrated Maggie from 2015, in which she co-starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Abigail Breslin despite being only in her 20s has been acting for nearly 20 years. Her first feature film role was in M. Night Shaymalan's Signs way back in 2002. She then went on to appear in the highly acclaimed Little Miss Sunshine, Oscar nominated for her scene stealing performance. However, she is more widely known by horror fans for Zombieland and the series Scream Queens.
The final girl, as horror fans will know, refers to the last female survivor of most slasher films. The title Final Girl intentionally wrong foots the audience, being a film that is quite a bit different from that which its title suggests, feeling unique and very unpredictable. It combines elements of the slasher genre, along with La Femme Nikkita, and The Most Dangerous Game in the World. The film-makers take the expected genre tropes of these films, yet gives them an unexpected spin. Although it does use some slasher conventions there is very little blood and gore. The story itself is told in a linear form, whereas the feeling is a non-linear narrative would have added more of a mystery to the events as they unfolded.
While it does have some faults, Final Girl is a really solid debut feature film from photographer Tyler Shields that overcomes these faults. The really impressive aspect is look of the film, so obviously from the eye of a photographer. However, while at times stunning to look at the film would have benefited from a more grittier feel.
The real strength of the film lies with the cast. Abigail Breslin, Wes Bentley of The Hunger Games and American Beauty, and Alexander Ludwig, more widely known for the TV series The Vikings and The Hunger Games, being the standouts. However, a little more depth to the characters would have made the film as a whole as engaging as the performances.
The Final Girl is a hugely enjoyable film with some depth to its themes. At times it feels like it is spoofing the genres of film it references, but made by fans of those genres. At 80 minutes long it rattles along and is never boring.
For those looking for something that is a little different and unpredictable you could do far worse.
GOOD GRIEF
johnbird-6198811 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A bit late on the scene for a review, but anyway...I'd seen it advertised on t.v. Before but usually too late for me. It was on last night so I gave it a whirl, but I really wish I hadn't bothered. The trouble with me is once I start watching a film I HAVE to see it all no,matter what my end verdict happens to be. I never understood the plot, what there was of it.. I'm not a big film buff but I'd guess this was a spin off from something else or a shoddy remake. Pandas? Overhead lighting in forest clearings, where did that come from? Who was the man who taught her to fight, and why? When the end came I wasn't surprised, given what I'd endured thus far for well over an hour, that this diminutive girl had somehow balanced a six feet tall man on virtual tiptoe with a noose around his neck. By now I'd have welcomed a noose myself. Where did the estimate of £8,000,000 to make this film come from? Was it real money, or a scam along the lines of Mel Brooks excellent film, The Producers? The scam worked as it only made peanuts at the box office. Not even worth paying £1 for (I'm English) in a charity shop.
What A Waste of Time
Orson4710 July 2015
Right from jump street, not the movie, this film lacks anything redeeming to save it from a 1 out of 10. While one would expect more from Wes Bentley, one has to assume that he either needed the money or lost a bet in choosing this script. The holes in this make Swiss cheese look inadequate. Whoever thought that Abigail Breslin would be perfect for this part needs to go back to casting school. With all due respect to her, she cannot handle this part and probably for the sake of her career should have passed it up anyway. There must be twenty actresses that could have been selected for this role and perhaps Breslin was the only one of the twenty who said, "Yeah, I can do this.". Without getting to involved here, let me just say that she does not have the face or the grit for this part. Her physical skills (fighting) are clearly lacking and apparently the choreographer gave up in trying to teach her. I loved the lighting in the forest. Seriously, where did the back light come from? Thankfully, I did not pay for this with anything other than my valuable time. I assume the producers are using this piece of trash as a tax right off. The IRS should decline to accept that knowing that any sane person would recognize a bad investment when they read the script.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
