Muse

Muse is a mixed bag to me - I like the acting, the production, the sinister "tone" or atmosphere of the movie. On the other hand the plot misses some momentum, and, last but not least, the ending is a rather disappointing one. Anyway, if you are in the mood for some dark mystery (with only a faint taint here and there that one could dare to call horror) and don't mind a slow pacing, you may try this one.

The director of some of the best horror movies of the last two decades - I need to rewatch Darkness but even more so Nameless. Both those movies are amazing to say the least. Really gripping and visually very well told. The latter part continues here too, even if the story is or does not feel as gripping as some of the other stuff he has done.

But that is really complaining on a high level, because the movie has more than a decent story. Characters one can follow through and feel for. Which is almost anything you can ask for - horror or drama, call it what you like, maybe even both. You can and will be entertained if you let the movie do that to you

There are a few brief moments that resemble horror, but Muse is really more of a supernatural thriller or a dark adventure. It's not going to be anyone's favorite movie of the year, but it's still a pretty solid production, with good cinematography, cast, and characters.

The big issue here is the core premise, which is actually really interesting and filled with potential, but ends up feeling a little underdeveloped. I wish there would have been more backstory on the individual muses and that we'd have gotten to see more of their interesting powers. I have to give the movie credit for at least making me that interested that I wanted more of what it had though.

Overall it was still a good, enjoyable film that kept my attention the whole time and I didn't regret my time spent on it.

My first niggle is, as other reviewers have pointed out, that this is a supernatural thriller, not horror. Not a bad thing at all, IMO, but a smidge irritating that the genre is miscategorized. It was good, but really could've used another half hour to flesh out, so to speak, and be what it should've been and deserved to be. I'll be looking for longer cuts on DVD. The almost non-existent and very rushed bonding of the two leads needed more development to really be effective. Really, I would love a sequel, but only if given more character and story development. There's that word again: development. Too hasty - didn't really sink its hooks into me like it could have and should have. Visually - wonderful. Very well done. Actors & acting were, to me, perfect.

I can claim no familiarity with the source material, but judging this film strictly on its own merits, I'm impressed with how it builds its mystery. Some aspects of the plot feel rather common - Rachel's background, for example - yet it finds success in slowly assembling a narrative swirling together dark fantasy, supernatural horror, and thriller vibes. The underlying mythology of the tale is fascinating, and the scene writing bears suitable variety while always carrying wonderfully dark atmosphere. All the effects look fantastic - blood, gore, and special makeup not least of all - and between these and the fundamental arrangement of some scenes, some moments manage to be distinctly chilling as they present. To that point, hats off to filmmaker Jaume Balagueró for tight, expert direction, and Pablo Rosso's cinematography is also terrific. Moreover, it's quite the cast assembled for this very international co-production, and everyone gives strong performances leaning into the grim airs and bringing the story to life. I wasn't sure what to expect as I started watching, but I quite like 'Muse.'

To some degree the narrative writing doesn't feel altogether complete, as though we're seeing more of the bare-bones structure of the tale, and possibly fragments thereof, instead of its totality. From one element to another the screenplay doesn't necessarily seem full of the rich detail that would truly help the viewing experience to stand out and be memorable. With that said, it's to the credit of Balagueró and co-writer Fernando Navarro - and certainly the cast and crew - that the feature is still as engaging and compelling as it is despite such relative lack. Between the horror violence, grisly imagery, and the more grand and sinister notions underpinning the plot, as well as all the hard work put into the picture generally, there's plenty to keep the viewer actively attentive through to the end.

If my words don't seem especially enthused, well, take that as a reflection of the title itself. Don't get me wrong: this is very well made in every regard, the narrative is engrossing, the grim ambience is delightful, and I really like the cast. There's also nothing about 'Muse' that so greatly leaps to the forefront as to demand viewership, and unless you're a diehard fan of someone involved, there's perhaps no major reason to go out of your way for it. Nonetheless, it ably scratches the itch for genre fare, and maybe after all that's all it needs to do. Worth 100 minutes of your time? If you have the chance to watch, then I'd surely say so.