Every now and then, a movie comes along that defies all expectation. Maybe it's better than anticipated; maybe it delivers something completely unexpected; or maybe it's just so different and unique, that it leaves a lasting impression.
Nina Forever was all of that, and although it's not fair to call it a Horror movie, it was a much-welcomed breath of fresh air for the genre.
I'm not trying to make it sound like it's perfect or anything, but I honestly can't remember the last time a movie upended my expectations like this one did. And I really don't have anything "bad" to say about it.
Man, that's a nice feeling.
After the tragic death of his girlfriend Nina, Rob is left despondent and suicidal. Holly, the quiet, weird chick that he works with, finds out that he's tried to kill himself, which turns her on, because she's fucking creepy. Rob is drawn to her creepy darkness though (because he's obviously got issues, and she's got a great rack), so they go out on a date.
SHE IS SO DTF. |
"WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD..." |
Uncomfortable sexual encounters ensue.
NO MAN SHOULD LOOK THAT MORTIFIED AFTER A THREESOME WITH TWO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN. POOR GUY. |
No one dies, no one's in danger... it's almost not even a Horror movie.
Sure, the movie has a zombie in it, and there's no shortage of blood throughout, but that's all just there to get a point across: Loss is terrible to cope with; moving on is difficult, and often times messy; relationships aren't any easier; and there are people out there with unhealthy obsessions, which end up being just as messy. Alright, so maybe it makes multiple points, but it makes them really well.
Nina Forever is definitely an actor's film; there's basically no action to be had here, no kills, no intense sequences of danger, no big set pieces. No, this is a straight-up Romantic Drama about three people caught in a love triangle... although one of them is dead, and she's all sorts of bloody and mangled, and makes a mess whenever she shows up.
Whatever you take away from this movie though, and I imagine that will differ from person to person, it was a really nice change of pace.
Fiona O'Shaughnessy was brilliant as Nina. I say this because she played her character so quiet and understated, and amusingly cynical, that even though she wasn't a true villain, she always seemed menacing. I personally kept thinking of Gary Oldman's haunting voice performance in Baby Blood (1990) while I was watching her work, as she seemed to be channeling the man with her performance. She was great.
Abigail Hardingham and Cian Barry were great as the doomed Holly and Rob as well. Hardingham especially stood out to us; partly because she looked sexy as hell (whether naked or clothed), and because she really made her disturbed character into something multi-layered and special. She reminded us a lot of Ruth Wilson (Luther), which is a pretty big compliment coming from us considering how much we love both the actress and that show.
SHE'S COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS THING WORK! |
"OH NO, BITCH, HE'S MINE" |
MAYBE THERE'S A MATTRESS LIQUIDATOR NEARBY OR SOMETHING? |
WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT ROMANCE IS GORY IN ITS OWN WAY. |
BITCH, KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON! |
GUESS WHICH GIRL IS THE CREEPY ONE. |
Nina Forever is the best unconventional Horror movie that we've seen so far this year, and it should be on your watchlist. Rent it asap.
B+
Nina Forever is available now on VOD.
Nothing to see here, folks... except for two sexy British birds, that is!
Yeah, this one just missed the top doomed relationship movie list.
ReplyDeleteIt might just be me, but those bloody hands popping up to rub all over those massive breasts was crazy hot. And I don't find that disturbing, lol.
Now you've got me curious about this movie...
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