Cobweb (2023)

My quick rating - 6.4/10. Hey, look, it is Homelander (Antony Starr) as the father in this flick. I definitely can relate to sibling rivalry, but this is to the extreme LOL. Cobweb is a chilling journey seen through the eyes of an eight-year-old kid named Peter (Woody Norman), who has his life turned upside down by a harmless tapping noise. This psychological horror movie, directed by first-time feature film director Samuel Bodin, blends creepy atmosphere, a mysterious monster, and a hint of family drama. The tapping sound, which the parents blame on Peter's overactive imagination, keeps the tension up as the movie wears on. As Peter’s fear escalates, so do the stakes, and he begins to suspect that his parents are hiding a dark secret. This movie never would've worked if Norman had not acted so well. All these moving parts cause you to question who and what to believe.

Cobweb's creepy atmosphere is one of its highlights. The lighting, shadows, and creepy angles all draw us into a world where the lines between reality and imagination are no longer clear. The tapping itself is a character, a presence that looms in the background. The tapping itself is timed to perfection, creating a rhythm that is stuck in your head (as it is in mine). I also appreciated the visual design of the monster in Cobweb. When finally exposed, the creature is a chilling mix of repulsive and attractive.

The otherworldly look is skillfully done, with just enough left to the imagination to tap into your primal fears. Just the thought of insanely long hair and a dark face gave us a creature that is more than just a cheap fright. It is a representation of Peter's fears, confronting both him and the viewer with the monsters we create in our own minds. Amidst all the frightful moments, the movie also touches on the trust factor in Peter's family. As he becomes more and more convinced of his parents' role in the tapping and evil, the movie explores the fragility of family relationships and the creepy idea that those closest to us may not always have our best interests in mind. The parents' storyline is another layer to the fright, and I felt that the climax was a great mix of reality, fright, and psychosis. Both Starr as the father and Lizzy Caplan playing the mother are equally disturbing in totally different ways. As the flick progresses, Cleopatra Coleman, as one of Peter's teachers, plays a significant part in doing what she can to help. Everything comes together in an atmospheric and haunting exploration of childhood fear, paranoia, and some intense sibling rivalry.

You can catch this at matinee prices on a handful of streamers including Amazon.

Cobweb (2023)

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