Aledawn Reviews: Horns

Horns -  the sinister fantasy movie staring Daniel Radcliffe

Let’s start off that Horns was not always a movie, it started out as a dark occult novel, that quickly gained popularity. The novel was released in 2010 by author Joe Hill, who may be better known as Joe Hillstorm King. The son of the horror novel master, Stephen King. Let’s put that aside for a moment.  Horns was nominated for the 2010 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel.

In 2012, Hill let the world know on his official website that a movie adaption of Horns would be released shortly.

Joe Hill

Horns first premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and had its US theatrical release was on October 31, 2014.  In the movie adaptation lead roles are played by Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple and others.

Plot:

Ig Perrish has always been an outsider to the people in his town. He is fine with what everyone thinks because his girlfriend Merrin Williams helps him forget everything around him. When she is found murdered and raped a year before the movie starts, everyone thinks of Ig as guilty. They name him the murderer and he has been to court, backed up by his best friend Lee, the only one who believes him. After a rough day, Ig finds himself waking up, drunk and naked with his childhood friend Glenna. After taking a look in the mirror Ig found out he started to sprout horns. Glenna sees them but laughs it offs, eating until she wants to throw up, admitting to Ig she wants to get fat, because everyone thinks she’s trash and they only want to sleep with her until they’re as drunk as Ig was.

Ig makes haste to the doctor and in the waiting room, he finds out more people tell him their deepest secrets, asking for conformation. Even the doctor and his nurse can’t keep a straight face. Due to his horns and the effect it has on the people he comes in contact with. After a shot of narcotics Ig is daydreaming about his youth and they day he met Merrin. In his day dream we find a few of his childhood friends like his brother Terry, best friend and lawyer Lee, the local bar slut Glenna and newly introduced Eric, who turns out to be the officer.

After Ig awakes, he finds himself not released of his horns because the doctor left his duty to do his nurse. Ig leaves the office, angrier than before. He becomes more angrier when there is a new witness in the case of Merrin’s murder. Determined to find out who the killer of the love of his life is, Ig, accompanied by his horns and his new powers, goes into investigation.

What I think:

Besides the movie being generated as a horror movie, which it is not, more a fantasy thriller, it has a few things I cannot put my head around. For one, the many bible references seen throughout the movie. There might been more than I could see but I surely enjoyed them all.

I loved the plot and found it refreshing. The acting was done superb, I even thought I was there, looking from the outside in -, as if I was one of the towns people.

What I did not like – besides the script at times, which was by times dull, was the fact that Ig, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe was able to control snakes. I mean, come on, we've seen this in Harry Potter.

In conclusion:

I would give Horns 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it for everyone who loves a good mystery, a thriller and a fantasy flick with bible references. Also a good recommendation for everyone who loves Daniel Radcliffe.