The Abandoned
After Dark Films | Release Date: February 23, 2007
5.7
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
9
Mixed:
6
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
BrandonW.Feb 21, 2007
I saw this dark Spanish horror a few months ago at Horrorfest. It was by far the best of the 8 films shown. It succeeds at building such a pervasive atmosphere of dread that by the end my friends and I all found ourselves completely I saw this dark Spanish horror a few months ago at Horrorfest. It was by far the best of the 8 films shown. It succeeds at building such a pervasive atmosphere of dread that by the end my friends and I all found ourselves completely terrified by even the most trivial of it's twists and turns. The atmosphere is much more effective given that it is not created by means of computers or special effects. Rather the film relies on the classic horror techniques of cinematography, set design, and sound effects to provide genuine creepiness rather than gore and cheap scares. I recommend this to real horror fans who think that Saw III was lame.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
EnriqueFeb 23, 2007
A unique, sophisticated thriller. A really scary one. Good cinematography.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
MichaelL.Sep 14, 2007
Not perfect, but far from the worst horror flick I've seen lately. Nice, atmospheric camerawork, decent acting, a good plot twist, and the unique Russian setting ultimately make this a watchable movie. Definitley got under my skin, and Not perfect, but far from the worst horror flick I've seen lately. Nice, atmospheric camerawork, decent acting, a good plot twist, and the unique Russian setting ultimately make this a watchable movie. Definitley got under my skin, and provided a few good scares to boot.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
MartyO.Feb 24, 2007
This movie is way, way overrated. It tries to be creepy and weird, but it's just boring to death and you stop to care about anything after a while, that's all I have to say.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JustinB.Feb 24, 2007
I give it a zero because it's just that awful, the best word to describe this film is appalling. I don't even understand why this film was created, I also don't understand how a person could like this. [***SPOILER***]They I give it a zero because it's just that awful, the best word to describe this film is appalling. I don't even understand why this film was created, I also don't understand how a person could like this. [***SPOILER***]They would have to be into the sort of movie that goes nowhere, by the end of the movie you sort of wish you were the one that drowned.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MauriceFeb 26, 2007
It scared the pop corn out of my mouth!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
SamMar 19, 2007
The original story and scares save this movie from the horror droll that's been in the theaters as of late, but the confusing and complicated ending left this viewer unsatisfied.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JamesFeb 24, 2007
If this was the "audience pick" for Horrorfest, I can only imagine how horrible the others were. The Abandoned begins with an interesting plot which reminded me of the old Ray Bradbury presents show, but falls off from there. The jarring and If this was the "audience pick" for Horrorfest, I can only imagine how horrible the others were. The Abandoned begins with an interesting plot which reminded me of the old Ray Bradbury presents show, but falls off from there. The jarring and thematic cinematography (and sound) does not save this film's extremely slow pace and unsatisfying ending. It felt as if key plot points and backstory were left out. Directing horror is a tricky business. An important element is left out of most (if not all) horror films and that is character building. What makes and audience sit on the edge of their seats or keep hands firmly covering their eyes is not wanting to see characters in the movie they care about get off-ed by a monster or machete weilding maniac. By the end of this film's experience I wanted the underdeveloped characters killed off so I could leave and and grumble over the $9.50 I just wasted. Horrorfest was billed as " movies too scary and/or gory to be released to normal audiences" but this was niether. What could have been a taut psychological thriller ends up being late night B-film fodder for the Sci-fi channel.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BobH.Feb 25, 2007
Very good movie to any one who likes horror movies.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
moviegrabbagJun 12, 2011
In Russia cars drive you! This isn't the best horror movie ever made but it isn't a horrible movie. It's kind of confusing which is actually kind of a good thing. The movie keeps you guessing and wondering what in the hell is going on. ThereIn Russia cars drive you! This isn't the best horror movie ever made but it isn't a horrible movie. It's kind of confusing which is actually kind of a good thing. The movie keeps you guessing and wondering what in the hell is going on. There are some scenes that could probably have been cut out of the movie and it would have been just fine and the acting could have been better but overall it is a decent movie and if you can see it for free or for a low price its probably worth checking out.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
FilipeNetoJul 10, 2020
There is little doubt that fantastic and horror Spanish cinema has gained strength, thanks to great directors such as Amenabar, Del Toro and Balagueró, among others. But, of course, there are a lot of films that have so little quality thatThere is little doubt that fantastic and horror Spanish cinema has gained strength, thanks to great directors such as Amenabar, Del Toro and Balagueró, among others. But, of course, there are a lot of films that have so little quality that they invariably stay on the way. This is certainly one of them. Launched in 2006, I have doubts whether it left any positive mark on the career of any of those involved.

Directed by an unknown Nacho Cerdà, who also wrote the script, in collaboration with Karim Hussain, it takes place somewhere in the Russian countryside, following the journey of Marie Jones, a film producer who grew up in USA but is the daughter of Russian parents and was, as a child, given up for adoption. The film does not explain clearly the reason for the return to Russia, but it is understood that Marie was contacted by the notary Andrei Misharin to deal with bureaucracies related to her biological parents inheritance: a vast isolated property, abandoned since their death in 1966. There, she will meet her twin brother and also the dark past of her family.

This film survives at the expense of the atmosphere of tension and mystery that it manages to create around what is happening with the characters in that isolated and decrepit place. Ultimately, this is what holds us to the end. The film deliberately takes time to explain a lot and there are some things that are left unexplained. The plot turns out to be disappointing, as it does not have a solid enough story to embody the film and to justify everything. It is a fine plot, which sometimes strikes the absurd, which puts the characters in situations of growing tension, distrust and fear, never going beyond that. To a certain extent, this film reminded me of “Triangle”, which dealt with the theme of time/space paradoxes. The cast is overwhelmingly composed of unknown names. Anastasia Hille was effective in the main role but has little to do other than to run around everywhere and overreact to everything that appears. The same can be said of Karel Roden, while Valentin Ganev is limited to a discreet and very restrained participation.

At a technical level, the film is much more interesting than the cast's performance, with its very dark and dense cinematography, which takes full advantage of the vastness of the forest and the darkness and degradation of the abandoned house's scenarios, which are otherwise very good and were thought out in the smallest details.… Expand
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