Abattoir

Abattoir is a dark and intense horror film released in 2016 as a part of the "Abattoir" franchise which is derived from the mind of visionaire film director Darren Lynn Bousman, known for his prominent work on the Saw series. The film stars Jessica Lowndes, acclaimed for her role in 90210, Joe Anderson, recognized for his roles in Across the Universe and The Grey, and Lin Shaye, best known for her role in the Insidious series.

Combining the horrifying elements of haunted house stories, crime noir and a scintillating dash of Lovecraftian cosmic horror, Abattoir is a unique cinematic experience that engages the audience with formidable suspense and psychological horror. This riveting narrative centers around Julia Talben (Jessica Lowndes), who is a determined real-estate reporter with a traumatic past and an unyielding spirit.

Julia's life takes a dreadfully shocking turn when her family is brutally slain under strange circumstances. The immediate aftermath of this tragedy initiates Julia on a relentless quest for answers which takes an even weirder turn when she discovers that her family's house has been bafflingly pulled off from the crime scene. This peculiar event leads her on a tangled path involving enigmatic riddles, clandestine societies and an enigma that overarches through centuries.

Joe Anderson plays Declan Grady, an assertive and resolute police officer who partners with Julia to unravel this baffling mystery. As the duo delve deeper into the case, their investigation guides them towards an eerie, delapidated town named New English which harbors an unsettling past connected to a mystifying character known as Jebediah Crone (Dayton Callie). Crone is a cryptic man of the cloth, whose sinister fascination for properties beset with death and tragedy creates the vivid setting of Abattoir.

Equally compelling about Abattoir is the town of New English itself. Presented as an ominous, borderline ghost town, New English adds an additional layer of mystery and a sense of impending doom, acting as a sinister character itself with its affiliation to haunted histories and mysterious disappearances. This slow unfolding of the town’s secrets punctuates the eerie atmosphere of the film.

The performance of the cast enhances an effectively creepy ambiance conjured by spectacular cinematography and offbeat set designs. Jessica Lowndes presents a balanced blend of vulnerability and grit, making Julia relatable and fearlessness commendable. Joe Anderson brings the right amount of skeptical realism contrast to Lowndes's determined truth-seeking character. And Dayton Callie beautifully executes his character, instigating a blend of curiosity and repulsion.

From a technical perspective, Bousman beautifully fuses the atmospheric horror with an intricate crime thriller narrative. Christopher Monfette's writing teases the audience's curiosity, unfolding the plot slowly and deliberately while managing to maintain a perpetual sense of dread throughout. The movie uses tropes of horror cleverly, while bringing an element of originality in its theme of an "abattoir", giving audiences a fresh and novel concept to ponder.

The chilling score composed by Mark Sayfritz adds another dimension to invoke unsettling emotions and elevate the feeling of dread accentuated by the narrational momentum. While the visual effects and makeup ensure an authentically terrifying visual experience, the haunting cinematography by Michael Fimognari drenches each frame in a perfectly eerie atmosphere required for the genre.

Abattoir expertly explores notions of unexplained terror, loss, grief and unwavering curiosity to create a holistic horror experience. The conflicting themes of spectral horror atmospheres and real-world horrors dance rhythmically in tandem with the movie’s overarching inquiry into the dynamics between this world and the cosmic unknown.

In conclusion, Abattoir is much more than a conventional horror movie. At its core, it is an intriguing exploration of human curiosity when faced with unfathomable terror, marked by powerful performances, proximate suspense, intriguing mystery and an ambiance of existential dread. Whether you are a cosmic horror enthusiast or a fan of traditional ghost stories, this movie will keep you at the edge of your seat till the very end.