Relic
IFC Midnight | Release Date (Streaming): July 10, 2020
6.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 81 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
42
Mixed:
25
Negative:
14
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
GodOneJul 13, 2020
Good actors, terrible screenplay without any sense. Slow and the end is just inserted without any reason just to make some obscure metaphors. Don't call this horror please, it's a scam.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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6
JLuis_001Jul 25, 2020
A haunted house film that benefits much more from the atmosphere than from the tension it manages to conjure.
Certainly, those who expect a horror story riddled with cheap jump scares will be greatly disappointed.
Like many recent films ofA haunted house film that benefits much more from the atmosphere than from the tension it manages to conjure.
Certainly, those who expect a horror story riddled with cheap jump scares will be greatly disappointed.

Like many recent films of the genre that have chosen to be deeper than many of the cheap productions that we see from studios like Blumhouse.
For what it matters, Relic is a story about deeply buried memories of past trauma.

Being a story about a ''haunted house'', the metaphor and the whole core of the matter lies in the fact that that home is a reflection of the mind state of its inhabitant and I say inhabitant because despite the fact that the three main characters are intertwined by blood. It's just one that is mentally drifting away.
And when that mind begins to collapse, the house begins to do the same.

This is a good slow-burner and to be honest while the supernatural element is present and is clearly an important part of the narrative, the essence of this story is more an allegory of a psychological breakdown and family issues.
Something that has been explored in recent and more successful films like Hereditary.

So I warn viewers because that tone and ambiguity are crucial for how this film works.

For my part I can only say that if you're into this kind of horror films, go for it.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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0
LeandroCampos84Sep 16, 2020
Boring and creep (in the bad way)...Why someone film this **** Don't waste your time with this.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
Svogel11766Jul 11, 2020
Horrible. Slow. No plot. Ending sucks. Waste of time and money. Most of movie is in darkness.
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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8
PalpetineSheevJul 16, 2020
Dark, depressing, and definitely not for everyone. I totally understand why there are so many people who hated this movie. Personally though, the strong performances, excellent cinematography, and strong use of sound and music made this anDark, depressing, and definitely not for everyone. I totally understand why there are so many people who hated this movie. Personally though, the strong performances, excellent cinematography, and strong use of sound and music made this an enjoyably depressing experience.… Expand
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
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7
bertboy93Jul 27, 2020
Solid story with good performences and a very good ending ( my opinion ) not a flawless movie but pretty good.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
thethiagoguzzoJul 11, 2020
Natalie Erika James in her incredible debut, brought my favourite film of the year so far. "Relic" is smart, tense, scary and incredibly beautiful. It has a great cast (but Mortimer's performance is the spotlight for me) and the movie buildsNatalie Erika James in her incredible debut, brought my favourite film of the year so far. "Relic" is smart, tense, scary and incredibly beautiful. It has a great cast (but Mortimer's performance is the spotlight for me) and the movie builds to an electric third act with a powerful emotional punch that will leave you in tears while the credits roll.… Expand
2 of 8 users found this helpful26
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6
SladeykajeJul 10, 2020
An imposing first feature from Natalie Erika James.

This one takes the haunted house premise and grounds it in something far more psychologically potent. James' direction is executed with precision, as she takes her time to linger onAn imposing first feature from Natalie Erika James.

This one takes the haunted house premise and grounds it in something far more psychologically potent. James' direction is executed with precision, as she takes her time to linger on particular moments and faces and corners, something essential for a good horror film. In fact, all of the technical aspects from the impressive acting display from the three leads to the cinematography which captures the sombre atmosphere delightfully provided a steady foundation for the film to thrive. The overall sense of hopelessness and dread throughout the film, especially the incredibly eerie last moments of the film moved me deeply. That being said, it's the slow-burn first half and a bizarre third act that might turn off some viewers, which occasionally left me scratching my head. It really made my bones itch - which is a new sensation for me.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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7
bertobellamyJul 28, 2020
The pace may be slow for some, but the ending makes it all very rewarding. An obscure and sad representation of mental illness.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
MarakaiAug 31, 2020
Just as Jennifer Kent made her mark with the Australian horror film The Babadook in 2014, so too does Natalie Erika James with another antipodean freighter in Relic. Not only do they share the same geographical origins but they share aJust as Jennifer Kent made her mark with the Australian horror film The Babadook in 2014, so too does Natalie Erika James with another antipodean freighter in Relic. Not only do they share the same geographical origins but they share a similar depth in their storytelling and intentions. As the The Babadook worked its fears around an allegory for mental health and loss, Relic delves into the ravages of dementia and the effect it has on family. Its not hard to see what James is going for but she also doesn’t forget that it’s still a horror movie at the end of the day and she crafts something that, albeit a slow-burn, is still chillingly effective and another fine addition to the continued rise of the contemporary horror genre.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
jeanrgerhardtJul 19, 2020
This. Is. Just. Amazing. The portrait of dementia is stunning. The photography of the film was perfect.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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9
wellingDec 6, 2020
Story with good performances not a flawless movie but pretty good.
The cast liked well.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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0
HortontayDec 10, 2020
These positive reviews have to be fake. This movie was so slow the ending was one of the lamest endings on earth. I'm glad I was able to leave a 0 rating. Trust me, do not watch this movie.
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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9
ejbeebyApr 4, 2021
Having an aging parent, the horror film. The best horror movies have something to say about what's wrong with everyday life and this is one of them.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Voodoo123Mar 15, 2022
Fascinating horror mystery that centers around 3 generations of a family (nan, mum, daughter) as they try to navigate the onset of dementia in the nan within a spooky house situation. Some great visual metaphoric creature effects towards theFascinating horror mystery that centers around 3 generations of a family (nan, mum, daughter) as they try to navigate the onset of dementia in the nan within a spooky house situation. Some great visual metaphoric creature effects towards the end and just loved the atmosphere and direction here. Its a really tough genre to find original material in but there was definitely some great creativity here with a heavy leaning towards the strange rather than the usual banal thrills or a cheap gory death toll so was really pleased with that choice. Standouts for me were the non euclidian endless rooms that encapsulated the daughter at each turn. I enjoyed this immensely!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
MarkTakayamaAug 14, 2021
I liked this horror movie. I liked Robyn Nevin who played Edna. After you watched this movie, you won't go to the closets. Some mold will attack you!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
geewahJun 27, 2021
A solid directorial debut from Natalie Erika James.
This slow burn horror is the type that relies on building atmosphere, and crafts themes of ageing and dementia cleverly to create a sense of unease.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
iCampoRamilMar 19, 2021
Bueno, no sé muy bien qué opinar de esta película.
Así de primeras, me dio la sensación de que la fotografía era demasiado oscura, y en general, me esperaba otra cosa, pero no sé si para bien o para mal, seguramente, para lo segundo.
Una cosaBueno, no sé muy bien qué opinar de esta película.
Así de primeras, me dio la sensación de que la fotografía era demasiado oscura, y en general, me esperaba otra cosa, pero no sé si para bien o para mal, seguramente, para lo segundo.
Una cosa buena que tiene es que intenta dar terror sin recurrir al jumpscare, eso se agradece, pero todavía así, no logra lo que quería, o lo que debería.
Las interpretaciones no están mal, el elenco es bueno, de lo mejorcito de la peli, vaya.
Creo que no estaba preparado para un **** y es lo que fue, o lo que intenta ser, porque se construye pobremente, aunque con un crescendo narrativo, pero depende mucho de lo que cuenta, y si no te queda claro, se queda en flojilla, pero aún sabiéndolo, puede que también se quede, como es mi caso.
El tema que trata está bien, el elenco bien, no apuesta por los jumpscures, y cinematográficamente está cuidada, pero.
Pero hay que esperar mucho a la conclusión, es más emotiva que aterradora, no sabe muy bien lo que quiere, y tiene una narración fatigosa.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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2
hanteliaiApr 9, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Начало фильма очень скучное. Что, куда и зачем вообще непонятно. С персонажами не знакомят, нет никакой экспозиции толком. Если не прочитал описание перед просмотром, так вообще ничего не поймёшь. Немного фильм преображается уже под конец, где уже хоть что-то происходит и нет желания заснуть. Саму концовку слили, хотя конечный смысл который вложили авторы и хотели донести понятен. Ну такое одним словом, не рекомендую.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
MeIAmIJul 23, 2022
What a disappointment. I've seen a slew of recent IFC movies and they've all been bad. I get the point of it, but it's so slow and sparse and gross that I wished I'd have turned it off. You may as well watch a dead bird in a park decay. ManyWhat a disappointment. I've seen a slew of recent IFC movies and they've all been bad. I get the point of it, but it's so slow and sparse and gross that I wished I'd have turned it off. You may as well watch a dead bird in a park decay. Many significant plot points were hard to catch, such as notes on the wall with hard-to-read poorly-written writing in thin pen that causes someone to cry, or too-quiet dialog from far away causing shock. There's some bizarre labyrinth scenes that go on too long, and the finale is ham-fisted. IFC tries to make A-production movies now mixed with slow navel-gazing and long drawn out scenes of people staring or slowly walking, and it just feels awkward and unnecessary. This could have been a thirty-minute arthouse short with how little happens in it, but everything's dragged out so much that it feels stretched unbearably thin. I'll be avoiding IFC movies for a while now.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
GiugiOct 5, 2022
This film is very strange because it manages to create an atmosphere of increasing tension by being scary and very deep at the same time, but in the end it is too fragmented, you don't understand much and the ending that wants to be deep andThis film is very strange because it manages to create an atmosphere of increasing tension by being scary and very deep at the same time, but in the end it is too fragmented, you don't understand much and the ending that wants to be deep and beautiful doesn't really have too much sense.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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