Helen Alone (2014) User Reviews

An at times subtle noir David Lynch inspired film for young/teenagers

[alan-leeshaw · 10/10 · 11 May 2014]

Having seen the movie Helen Alone and having given it such a high rating I would like to include the fact that this is a first film by a brand new Danish/US Director Henrik Poulsen which for me only adds to the quality and style of it's achievement.

The movie is a story that recounts 24 hours of a young girls life with all the trials and tribulations that it may bring, set in a very much now Texas town with youngsters of an all American Young/teenage background and where the lines of real life and fantasy are constantly blurred.

Having created what I consider to be a David Lynch inspired movie for teenagers, in doing so the Directors somewhat dark Danish noir subtleties are there to be explored. The leading actress playing Helen comes across with just the right amount of naivety and strangeness to carry the movie through to it's dreamlike conclusion. This is a movie of subtlety and innuendo that cries out for understanding just like Helen herself.

Interesting art house horror flick; an indie filmmaker's deconstruction of common tropes of horror genre, shot with tender loving care.

[sheltonmediaatx · 9/10 · 18 February 2017]

Caught this trailer late one night and remember getting a very eerie vibe while watching it. With a straight forward plot taken straight from a John Carpenter flick or any standard 80's/90's slasher movie (a young high school girl is left home alone for the weekend, where all kinds of mayhem ensues) yet shot in a much more eccentric way. There's a strong David Lynch presence, even a Nicolas Refn (spell check) at times, perhaps a Cronenberg influence, which is interesting (and refreshing) to see applied to the usual tropes and familiar plot line. It's almost as if this director is creating a horror movie with all of the usual subtext, the usual danger, yet due to a cinematography that cascades along the borders of homage/allegory/deconstruction, I found myself more freaked out but the directors vision of the genre; It's a unique film, due to an innovative/fresh approach to a genre loaded with stock characters, recycled set pieces, archetypal tropes, usual spin off plots. Very skilled, resourceful acting, and writing was strong too (look out for a big allegory) given the constraints of the genre. I think if Hollywood started putting filmmakers like this guy (you know, directors/writers who are hungry and clever, who seem to about making a film that offers an artistic statement and entertainment) we'd get some better movies. If you put actual director's (ones who are both artists and craftsman, not just technical A/V dudes) in charge of developing some new content, we'd get more unique cinema, and a big chance of a surge in quality, and ultimately sales would re-surge. I don't know if this movie is the next major indie horror masterpiece, but it was unique, original, well paced, and shot masterfully, and it was ultra cheap on the platform I saw it on. The big take away for me was, is that this is proof there is much

horror movies being made, because this tops the list of horror movies I've seen in the last 9 months. Hollywood is making a big mistake by not letting some new guys take charge of new content development. Until they do, it's sure more reboots, comic books, and remakes.

Would recommend to watch if you're a fan of quirky, dynamic, horror movies. It also has one of the Baldwin's in it, and he's pretty solid !

Tyler.

This movie is awesome!

[heatherdemolet · 10/10 · 17 May 2022]

Indie film makers understand the passion behind the art. The cast is wonderfully put together and the cinematography is outstanding! You can feel the subtle nod to the films of old and glimmers of film for the new generations to come.

I just wish I saw it sooner!

[brookeenloe · 10/10 · 16 March 2023]

As a lover of writer/director films, this one is one of my favorites. It takes old stereotypes and puts a new twist on them, and not in a cheesy way like so many movies have these days. This gives a great perspective on what it feels like to be a young woman who just wants to find herself and how scary the world can be when you are and feel so alone. My only regret is that I didn't find this sooner and watch it with my high school girlfriends on our movie nights.

With that being said, I can't wait to check out what other things Henrik Bech Poulsen writes or directs - or both! His way of storytelling through scenes and through the lens is unique and keeps you involved with every character, not just the main character. Not to mention the soundtrack just makes the entire movie come to life even more. I'm so glad I found this gem and I can't wait to share with everyone I know!