"Artik" is a tragically emotive and cruel opus. It is dark, heavy, and often beautiful. I mean, as beautiful as a film about serial killer, his damaged wife, damaged life and psychologically chained children can be. The characters are emotionally scarred, painstakingly built persons that are heartbreaking, anxiety bait.
The characters are rich, often disconnected creatures that seem at a crossroads, filled with conflict. And yet they feel real, almost organic, in a distopic view of their own lives. Even the antagonist is almost torn eternally between his art and his "dark passenger". But only to a degree. As impressive a creation he may be, his is by no means likeable.
The acting in "Artik" is stellar. There is no distance between their talent and these characters. They bring this chilling and compelling nightmare to life vividly. Tom Botchii creates a strong story here, one that permeates a sense of unease which is only enhanced by a beautiful shot visual story. Seriously, the cinematography is a horror element in and of itself.
Speaking of the horror, "Artik" starts out strong. The kill sequences are blunt, cruel moments of shock and unapologetic graphic gory scenes. And they show as realistic as any in the industry- save the "snuff film" stuff. Honestly the only thing I didn't like about the film was that there wasn't more gore. Not that this film is really lacking. It is it!
Overall "Artik" is a solid movie. It has a fully formed and well written story with strong, emotive characters. It stays dark and foreboding. The horror is visceral splatter film elements done brilliantly. I was captivated, disturbed, excited and stunned from the first scenes till the bitter end. I highly recommend "Artik" to all horror fans.
The characters are rich, often disconnected creatures that seem at a crossroads, filled with conflict. And yet they feel real, almost organic, in a distopic view of their own lives. Even the antagonist is almost torn eternally between his art and his "dark passenger". But only to a degree. As impressive a creation he may be, his is by no means likeable.
The acting in "Artik" is stellar. There is no distance between their talent and these characters. They bring this chilling and compelling nightmare to life vividly. Tom Botchii creates a strong story here, one that permeates a sense of unease which is only enhanced by a beautiful shot visual story. Seriously, the cinematography is a horror element in and of itself.
Speaking of the horror, "Artik" starts out strong. The kill sequences are blunt, cruel moments of shock and unapologetic graphic gory scenes. And they show as realistic as any in the industry- save the "snuff film" stuff. Honestly the only thing I didn't like about the film was that there wasn't more gore. Not that this film is really lacking. It is it!
Overall "Artik" is a solid movie. It has a fully formed and well written story with strong, emotive characters. It stays dark and foreboding. The horror is visceral splatter film elements done brilliantly. I was captivated, disturbed, excited and stunned from the first scenes till the bitter end. I highly recommend "Artik" to all horror fans.