Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Scary of Sixty-First’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Scary of Sixty-First’.
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There is an interesting paradigm shift happening in our modern world, one that is of supreme concern. Because despite the fact that we live in an age of information, where facts are at our fingertips and science and technology have proven to be safe to use in just about every way imaginable… there are people pushing back on all of those things in a terrifying manner. For so many are speaking to unfounded concerns about science and tech and their safety, and they’re also the same individuals spouting conspiracy theories that make no sense and somehow relate to science and technology at times and well… this is of concern for several reasons.
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In part because it is undermining efforts to get a pandemic under control, and it has even sown enough confusion and paranoia… to bring about an insurrection at the United States Capitol Building. Which is a problem so large that we are all now searching for answers as to how to stop this spread of stupidity in our world and well… finding the root cause would be helpful in combating it for certain and oddly enough, cinema is starting to get into that particular exploration. For what better place to explore the potential causes of misinformation than stories, since they can offer objectivity and observation and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a film that explores what drives people to indulge in misinformation in The Scary of Sixty-First.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to Noelle and Addie. A pair of friends that are moving into their first upscale New York apartment together as roommates and well, it doesn’t take long for them to have some serious concerns about this swanky new place. Because there are odd designs to this apartment and its price was super low for its location and it turns out… that this appears to have been property owned by Jeffrey Epstein. And his special brand of gross and evil might be influencing Addie in a negative and dangerous light and now it will be up to Noelle and an unnamed conspiracy theorist to save Addie from Epstein’s potential grip from beyond the grave.

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Which initially, seems like a plot that is mired more in supernatural elements over commentary on conspiracy theories and their origins, but it is most definitely there. Because we never see a ghost or a specter here, just a pair of everyday people that are straight up bored and listless. For Noelle and Addie have no real goals in life, no real connections, they just go about their day and see where it takes them and these theories and the strange behavior that Addie latches onto… gives them purpose and direction at last. Making it clear that the root cause of these problems is a lack of direction or purpose for these individuals. But having a cause, one that forces them to work for evidence, gives them what they need and drives them forward at last.

A reality that speaks to the possibility that perhaps we’ve grown complacent and listless in our modern world and need to do a better job of offering up new avenues for people to feel productive in society and have meaning, because to do otherwise is indeed disastrous. But while that commentary is fascinating in its own right and gives us plenty to ponder upon, none of that really screams horror either, but… it is there, in a unique manner. Because the negative behavior that everyone leans into here, leads to a different kind of horror film, one that allows for us to bear witness to downward mental spirals and twisted behavior and well, this aspect of the film is not for the weak of the heart in the slightest.

Because it goes to some genuinely depraved places for certain, the kind that are taboo in nature at times and wildly uncomfortable. But the horror of losing one’s mind, does fit the subject material and horror does know no bounds, so this is more of a warning than a knock on a movie that is outright ambitious. Because you just rarely see horror films let loose in this manner anymore and the 70s aesthetic present only adds to the movie’s angry, throwback feel. In the end however, if you’re looking for a solid and twisted horror flick that is filled to the brim with commentary on a major problem in our world and you won’t be disturbed by some outlandish sequences and concepts, then swing by Shudder when you have a chance and give this twisted and visceral ride a look.  

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