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What it's about:
The terrifying tale of an alienated 12-year-old boy named Owen (Kodi Smit McPhee), who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors, and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbour, Abby (Chloë Grace Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father. A frail, troubled child about Owen's age, Abby emerges from her heavily-curtained apartment at night only, and always barefoot, seemingly immune to the bitter winter elements.
Recognising a fellow outcast, Owen opens up to her and, before long, the two form a unique bond.
What the critics said:
"It's still a striking piece of character-driven horror, and it still ranks (despite the effects) among the more understated fright fests to hit the mainstream in recent memory."
- Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
"What works so well here is the juxtaposition of youthful innocence and downright puppy love with monstrosity and murder. Mean kids are scary. Kids who drink blood are scarier."
- Tom Long, Detroit News
"It is at once artful and unpretentious, more interested in intimacy and implication than in easy scares or slick effects."
- A.O. Scott, New York Times
"Instead of exploring uncanny realms of psychological terror usually reserved for Poe or Lovecraft, [Reeves] goes all Freddy Krueger."
- Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The terrifying tale of an alienated 12-year-old boy named Owen (Kodi Smit McPhee), who is viciously bullied by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on his middle school tormentors, and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only friend is his new neighbour, Abby (Chloë Grace Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent father. A frail, troubled child about Owen's age, Abby emerges from her heavily-curtained apartment at night only, and always barefoot, seemingly immune to the bitter winter elements.
Recognising a fellow outcast, Owen opens up to her and, before long, the two form a unique bond.
What the critics said:
"It's still a striking piece of character-driven horror, and it still ranks (despite the effects) among the more understated fright fests to hit the mainstream in recent memory."
- Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
"What works so well here is the juxtaposition of youthful innocence and downright puppy love with monstrosity and murder. Mean kids are scary. Kids who drink blood are scarier."
- Tom Long, Detroit News
"It is at once artful and unpretentious, more interested in intimacy and implication than in easy scares or slick effects."
- A.O. Scott, New York Times
"Instead of exploring uncanny realms of psychological terror usually reserved for Poe or Lovecraft, [Reeves] goes all Freddy Krueger."
- Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
