The Canal

| Release Date: October 10, 2014

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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DirigiblePulpDec 30, 2014

Some nice bits, but really a just another tedious exercise in the same old schlock. It's Irish and has an eye for color, but that doesn't excuse a mundane plot that doesn't take many chances

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quincytheodoreJan 23, 2015

Captivating with intimate struggle, The Canal offers more than grisly scenes or bloody gore. It is imposing and disturbing on deeper psychological level, much credit to Rupert Evans who performs splendidly to that effect. In contrast toCaptivating with intimate struggle, The Canal offers more than grisly scenes or bloody gore. It is imposing and disturbing on deeper psychological level, much credit to Rupert Evans who performs splendidly to that effect. In contrast to majority of horror flicks that have grainy filter, The Canal looks very quaint. The overlook of the vista or the color palette are brightly lit, but it effectively delivers a harrowing atmosphere.

David (Rupert Evans) is an archivist of retro movies who lives with his son and perhaps not so loving wife. He receives a movie that depicts his house was the site of a murder scene one century ago. David is a rather timid man, he has doubts and not particularly dominant. So, when he becomes more troubled by the prospect of phantom presence, he deteriorates mentally. Rupert Evans captures the character brilliantly, both verbally and with body language. It's very easy to see David as an average man, filled with hidden anger and nagging anguish.

The movie presents the terror with exquisite taste, it doesn't need cheap trick. It might show the scenes as David sees it or not show anything out of ordinary at all, the anticipation works better than the usual apparition shocks. As David's occupation is related to cinema, there are many sequences with antique cameras or slides. These old cryptic monochrome relic and modern screen mashes together exceptionally well, occasionally producing jittery motion which just feels inhuman.

With a pristine cinematography, the film is engagingly fun, although it may be odd to say this for a horror film. The angle and blitz fast editing are fresh, it focuses at the right thing at the right moment, it's simply hard to not be immersed. Most of the time it depicts a beautiful landscape of European suburb, yet it has underlying bleakness to it which is persuasively disturbing.

There have not been many films that create horror in such personal level, let with alone solid cinematography. The Canal is nightmarish delightful.… Expand

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SpangleDec 6, 2015

The Canal is a super twisted horror film, but is honestly just not that scary. It has a good premise and it executes it well. It manages to be both deeply unsettling and partially scary at times, but really never follows through and elevatesThe Canal is a super twisted horror film, but is honestly just not that scary. It has a good premise and it executes it well. It manages to be both deeply unsettling and partially scary at times, but really never follows through and elevates itself from being just a pretty good film and decent horror. It is incredibly well made and has all of the elements to be truly horrifying, but for some reason, it just did not terrify me as it should, though it certainly is creepy. In saying this, the ending and pay-off is fantastic and deeply twisted to the point that it leaves you in shock. However, the proceeding hour and a half do not create the necessary tension consistently enough for the film as a whole to be more than alright as a whole. In saying this, it is certainly worth a watch and is very much entertaining, but it certainly pulls no punches and the ending is mostly predictable.… Expand

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A_So_Horror_FanJun 5, 2015

The story is a strong, emotional character study that plays out in a melancholy way with moments of tense, chilling energy that seems to ripple through this creative nightmare. "The Canal" blends the concepts of cursed property, tragic lives,The story is a strong, emotional character study that plays out in a melancholy way with moments of tense, chilling energy that seems to ripple through this creative nightmare. "The Canal" blends the concepts of cursed property, tragic lives, and horrendous past in a way that keeps you guessing. Well actually you start guessing midway through the film when suddenly more possible scenarios comes to light. It is still heavy with the paranormal, and keeps with a darker, more sinister tone. The acting is superb and the characters are so developed that you begin to feel for them - I was completely invested. Ivan Kavanagh as created a psychological labyrinth of horror, and tragedy that hooks you from the beginning, drags you through intense melodrama and confusion, then hits with some truly disturbing imagery and finality.

The special effects are so well done that you feel the moments of horror as readily as the characters do. There is a few moments when the paranormal trickery isn't quite as effective as most of the stuff in "The Canal" is, but in a market drowning in netherworld nightmares it is hard to make every paranormal gimmick hit home with the audience. The ghost-y stuff is surreal and chilling. True some of it has been seen before but the characters her help to really sell even the basic of effects. The soundtrack is filled with sorrow-filled instrumental music that is full of dread and despair and emotion. The ending is a bit cheesy and not very original. But it creates that moment of finality that actually brings the story out of the whole "guessing game" of "is he? or isn't he?" which takes over in the middle of "The Canal". I really enjoyed this film, it is dark, disturbing and entertaining.… Expand

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JLuis_001Dec 26, 2021

At first I thought this story wouldn't really have much to offer.
It didn't seem to have the look, feel or attitude of something more captivating. But I was in for a surprise.
It clearly doesn't make the most of its premise, but it's not asAt first I thought this story wouldn't really have much to offer.
It didn't seem to have the look, feel or attitude of something more captivating. But I was in for a surprise.

It clearly doesn't make the most of its premise, but it's not as simplistic as it seems. Not by a long shot.

Has a **** up birth scene near the end.… Expand

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