Drag Me to Hell

THE MINISTRY OF BODILY FLUIDS WARNS: DON'T EAT WHILE WATCHING THIS MOVIE! Hooray, hooray, four absolutely pure and honestly deserved stars! Sam Raimi has forgotten about the awkward Spider-Man and returned to where we love him best. Among the dead and the undead, in dark houses, in dug up cemeteries in a heavy downpour... Drag Me to Hell is almost a perfect horror film, which I ate up like a raspberry thanks to its reasonable length. Suspenseful scenes are interspersed with even more suspenseful ones, with every scare leading to the proverbial hand (you learn, for example, how to use a stapler in self-defense, or that goats can talk when it comes to them), and the whole film is conceived as a super-fun reminder of the work of the late 80s and early 90s. Moreover, Raimi can afford to employ actors who know how to act, and he was lucky enough to have a sensational atmospheric score. It should be noted that the gypsy witch is one of the most repulsive characters of all time. And being a person who hates any bodily fluids besides blood, I really preferred not to watch some of the scenes with this content. Disgusting. But I'll watch it again. (04/04/2010)

It lacks atmosphere for a horror. On the other hand, it has too many jumps waiting which let you know about themselves long ahead of time. I jumped just once and that was when a friend brushed against my hand when reaching for his drink. I hope it was by mistake. The black humor scenes work nicely, but there aren’t enough of them to make this work as a comedy. Apart from the “Itchy and Scratchy" fights between Christine and Mrs. Ganush, not much memorable happened. And Raimi without Bruce... Those words just don’t fit together in one sentence. But it’s true and it’s doubly disappointing when you realize that the role of Milos would fit him like a glove. In fact, I can’t believe that it wasn’t originally intended for him. (21/06/2009)

A masterful game with genre tropes that manages to thrill, frighten, and entertain, often all within a single scene. After Spider-Man 3, Raimi makes it clear that he hasn't lost his judgment and knows how to entertain himself and the audience. Anyone who gives it less than three stars simply hasn't understood that Raimi made a fool of them. 4 ½. (27/08/2009)

I've never been so fucked up with a horror movie, and I thought I'd seen a lot of stuff. The creepy atmosphere could literally cut through a chainsaw at times. Alison Lohman was great and likeable, and I have no words for the granny. The big downside for me was the large number of overly absurd scenes, like the bloody handkerchief or the vomiting, and the animation of the critters and during the attacks on the main character. Still, I highly recommend it, especially for those who like to be scared. (07/02/2010)

Excellent in terms of atmosphere, with good performances , and technically at least above average. Sam Raimi doesn't hold back and delivers a fairly entertaining, albeit simple, piece. Alison Lohman's delicacy beautifully contrasts with the unpleasant setting, the ominous sky, and the brutal performance by Lorna Raver. Only that green slime wasn't quite my cup of tea. (14/11/2009)