Grimmfest 24' "Beezel" - movie review

BEEZEL GRIMMFEST 2024'

Witchcraft has been a staple in horror for decades, often set in shadowy woods or remote villages, but "Beezel" by Aaron Fradkin cleverly subverts these expectations by bringing the terror of witches into the everyday suburban environment. With a nod to films like Sinister, Beezel offers a chilling backdrop of normalcy that’s slowly corrupted by the eerie presence of witchcraft, spinning three deeply unsettling stories into one cohesive anthology.

Visually, Beezel excels. From the look of the witch to the film's suburban setting, Fradkin creates a sinister aesthetic that feels grounded yet otherworldly. The practical effects in Beezel are top-notch, delivering the blood, gore, and grotesque imagery that fans crave, but what truly drives the terror home is the film’s music. The score is the pacing force behind the film, perfectly underscoring each moment of creeping dread. The composer’s work does more than just accompany the film—it heightens the tension, cranking up the fear and unease with every note. As scenes unfold in eerie basements or darkened rooms, the music transforms these spaces, making them feel alive with terror, giving shape to the viewer’s darkest fears.

The portrayal of the witch is everything you want it to be: grotesque, menacing, and completely unsettling. The minimal character interactions only add to the film's mystique, as the presence of the witch looms heavily over each storyline, giving the audience just enough without revealing too much. This measured approach makes the horror all the more effective, but it's the music that really turns these moments into nightmares. It guides the pace, elevates every scare, and gives the audience little respite from the constant building of tension.

What’s also fascinating is how Beezel, like many recent horror films, taps into our collective nostalgia for the time periods between the 1960s and the present. It’s as if these eras represent a forgotten piece of our childhood that we witnessed through early television sitcoms—an innocence now turned on its head by the horror genre. We saw it in Sinister and more recently in Long Legs, and Beezel follows suit, proving that this nostalgic aesthetic is something we can’t seem to let go of. The comforting suburban backdrop becomes the perfect canvas for terror, reminding us of a past we long for yet fear at the same time.

Although Beezel doesn’t stray far from traditional witch film tropes, the suburban Midwestern setting offers a fresh take that keeps the film engaging. It's a solid addition to this year’s horror lineup, and while it may not break new ground, *Beezel* is a beautifully crafted film with an unnerving atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression.

For those who enjoy witch-themed horror with a modern twist and a haunting score that will stay with you long after the credits roll, Beezel is undoubtedly worth watching. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars, and one of the more memorable genre films of the year.

Rating: 3.5/5

Beezel

Directed by Aaron Fradkin

Starring Nicolas Robin, Victoria Fratz