Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Animosity’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Animosity’.
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Ask anyone that has lost someone they love, what they would do to just spend one more day with them and you’ll get a common answer… ‘anything’. Because losing those that mean the world to us, is a devastating and sudden and downright jarring experience. One that impacts the mind and soul so badly, that people would indeed go the extra mile and do whatever it takes, just to see that loved one… one last time. Simply because such a pleasant surprise would allow for folks to say everything that was left unsaid and it would also allow for a person to hold that special loved one, once again and properly say goodbye so that peace could fill a broken heart at last and those impacted by loss, could finally move on in life without the hurt they carry.
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But sadly, the harsh reality when it comes to that particular wish, is that we will never get that opportunity since death is as final as it gets, and it is up to us to reconcile our pain and move on in a manner that honors the departed. But that certainly doesn’t stop us from playing a good old-fashioned game of ‘what if?’ when it comes to the possibility and of course… creative minds are often eager to explore such matters and the potential repercussions that could come about if by chance our loved ones returned from beyond. And it just so happens that that the possible problems that could forth if the finality and significance of death were revoked in our world, serves as the focal theme of the newly released horror film, Animosity.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a loving couple named Mike and Carrie and they are riding on cloud nine when we catch up with them here. For they have just purchased a beautiful mountain home from a frazzled owner, and they are so ready to start their life and family together in this wonderful new abode. But as the days roll on and the couple settles in, Carrie starts to have concerns about not only the house’s location, but the strange goings on happening within and outside its walls. For her neighbors are terrifying and strangers keep finding ways into the house and despite her cries for concern, her husband simply ignores them. But she is determined to discover why this house and area are filled with strangeness and unfortunately for Carrie… she will get her answers and what she uncovers about this place, will change her life in ways she never thought possible.

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Which is a plot that at first glance, appears to be filled to the brim with tropes and cliché. Because the market is flooded with scary stories that revolve around newlyweds or broken couples that move into a brand-new home that is filled with something sinister. But it turns out, this is a stroke of genius storytelling wise. Because offering up cliché, lulls the viewer into a false sense of comfort and leads them to believe that they will know exactly what is coming and how this story is going to end. Which is when the movie outright surprises us with quite the incredible twist. Since it turns out that this house is nothing more than a strange recycling center for death, where anyone who dies on or near the property is resurrected and that’s where the dark explorations that we mentioned a moment ago, come into play.
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Since this film outright theorizes that seeing our loved one return from the dead… would cheapen what death means to us. To the point where we would potentially become numb to death and its overall meaning. Plus, it also takes the time to ponder upon what a return from death would mean for those that perished and how that would scramble one’s mind and emotions and that leads to some dark moments for certain. The kind where life is no longer valued and where the afflicted let rage settle into their hearts when they realize they are an outright bastardization of our sole biological purpose and that is where the horror in this story comes into play, and that in turn brings forth some gory and unsettling moments as the careful balance created in this household unravels.

If anything, this is simply a fascinating horror film when all is said and done. In part because it busts tropes left and right and revitalizes a corner of the genre that has become stale. But also, because it really does a wonderful job of exploring how the natural order of things is supremely important to our society and exploring the devolution of death oddly enough, puts this particular motion picture in the pantheon of the greats. Since George Romero and Stephen King explored these themes as well in their own unique way and in the end, all of these elements make this particular film, a must watch. Because you can never go wrong with a horror film that is intelligent and poignant and takes the time to remind the audience that regardless of how much it hurts to lose a loved one… it happens for a reason and it’s best we learn said reason, before our grief consumes us.  

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