Nails

Nails is a chilling and unnerving horror-thriller movie released in 2017 that grips you from start to finish. Directed by Dennis Bartok with an impressive screenplay by Tom Abrams and Bartok himself, the movie stars Shauna Macdonald, a famed actress from 'The Descent,' alongside Steve Wall and Leah McNamara.

The film revolves around the lead character, Dana Milgrom, portrayed by Shauna Macdonald, a tough yet devoted track coach and mother who is involved in a tragic near-fatal car accident. The horrific accident leaves her immobilized and bound to a hospital bed in a somewhat defunct and eerie hospital. Struggling to regain control over her life and mobility, Dana faces an incessant barrage of physical and emotional pain, but the terror only escalities when she becomes aware of an unfathomable presence that seems to lurk the narrow and dimly-lit corridors of the health facility.

Steve Wall plays Dana's caring and steadfast husband, Trevor, who relentlessly tries his best to support his wife during her arduous recovery period. Nevertheless, as the narrative evolves, Dana's increasing terror and seeming descent into mental instability due to the otherwordly presence strains their relationship. Displaying remarkable acting skills, both actors bring an intensity to their roles that contributes to the tonal balance of fear, anxiety, and unearthly dread within the plotline.

Leah McNamara brilliantly plays Dana's rebellious teenage daughter, Gemma, who finds it hard to adjust to her mother's helplessness while trying to cope with her disturbing surroundings. Her remarkable performance adds an extra layer of emotional turmoil and distress, raising the stakes for the family’s survival.

The ghastly presence in the hospital gets identified as "Nails," a hostile and fatal spirit of an erstwhile hospital employee who manifests himself as a persistently violent force. Unlike other movies in the horror genre where the entity strikes fear only in night-time, "Nails" is not time-bound and creates a constant aura of palpable apprehension.

Director Dennis Bartok skillfully instills an atmosphere of unnerving suspense and impending doom throughout the film. The hospital's grim environ looks gloomier by virtue of his masterful treatment of light and space. Striking a delicate balance between outright horror and psychological thrills, Bartok ensures that viewers are on the edge of their seat throughout the film's runtime.

Moreover, the film's score, composed by Ade Fenton, is haunting and instills a bone-chilling sensation that further amplifies the eerie environment of the facility. Each atmospheric cue explores paranoia, discomfort, and fear, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. Bolstering the ethereal dread is the film’s striking sound design, which only adds to the overall sensory discomfort, making 'Nails' truly terrifying for viewers.

The special effect makeup and visuals' contribution cannot be overstated, providing the ideal unsettling elements that elevate the horror to a notch higher. The blend of physically constructed makeup and digital effects have been used subtly yet effectively, not allowing them to overbear the storyline but supplementing the narrative magnificently.

'Nails' is certainly not a film for the faint-hearted, but lovers of horror and psychological thrillers will find it satisfyingly nerve-wracking. Its examination of a fierce woman's battle against an unfathomable, sinister entity amidst personal struggles provides viewers with a heady mix of both external and internal demons.

Fusing elements of classic supernatural stories with modern horror aesthetics, 'Nails' delivers a chilling journey that delves deep into the characters' psyches, allowing viewers to experience the dread and fear alongside them. As these characters grapple with their realities, the audience is drawn further into the unfolding horror, making 'Nails' an edge-of-the-seat cinematic experience. The dramatic finish leaves the audience feeling sufficiently rattled, cementing 'Nails' as a robust package firmly grounded in the realm of psychological horror-thrillers.