Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Twin’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Twin’.
​
Something that is genuinely fascinating about popular media, is how the creative minds that thrive within it… tend to all latch onto a particular concept at the same time. It could be because word is getting around Hollywood that so and so is working on something stellar revolving around that concept, and others want in on it, or it could be because we humans are on a tighter wavelength than we give ourselves credit. But one way or another… a concept takes root and floods the market and there is good and bad that comes with that. The bad obviously, involves the fact that sometimes some of the stories revolving around that notion won’t be up to snuff in the slightest and/or they’re clearly cashing in on the wave. But on the plus side, it could raise awareness on a topic that isn’t being discussed all that often and needs to be.
​
If anything, this is top of mind today, because grief is one of those concepts/topics circulating around popular media right now. For everywhere you look, in every genre, creatives are exploring its power and its gravity and that’s great. Because grief gets swept under the rug often and forgotten about. But we should be spotlighting and talking about it because it has a profound impact upon people when it arrives, and it can transform us for better or worse and one genre that is excelling at discussing it right now… is horror. For there are a glut of grief themed horror films on the market, the kind that are examining powerful aspects of grief in a manner that helps the audience learn through concern and fear and it just so happens, that Shudder is now host to an incredible movie in this vein, one that does a fine job of educating us on the power of grief and what it can do to us if left unchecked in The Twin.

A feat that this story accomplishes, by introducing us to a broken family. One that is dealing with the fallout of loss and grief. For Rachel and Anthony’s son Nathan, died in a car crash recently, and this loss has been so powerful and so profound… that Rachel and Anthony decide to take what’s left of their family, which consists of Nathan’s twin brother Elliot… and move to Finland. To get as far away as possible from their pain and start over fresh.  A decision that at first, appears to pay off. For everyone is happy and content and enjoying their time together once again. But some odd occurrences in the house, and some strange behavior from the townsfolk in the nearby town… leads Rachel to believe that something sinister is happening around her. Something so twisted and evil that it might rob her of what little she has left and now it will be up to Rachel to uncover the mystery at hand to save her family, and her sanity.

---

Which at first glance, is a plot that seems grounded more in folk horror and notions of Satanism and the like. Since Rachel firmly believes that her husband’s strange behavior and the way the people in town treat her, is related to a sinister plot to sacrifice her baby boy in the hopes of bringing the Devil himself back to life. A wild thought that is reinforced by a new friend in town that also harbors concerns about the town and its citizens and the strange things that happen around the house. Since there really does appear to be something dark residing within the house, something that is eager to take control of the family’s life and future and well… that’s so deeply engrained into the story and played upon so heavily, that the grand surprise revolving around grief in this story… completely and utterly gut punches you with its gravity and power.
​
For it turns out, that there is no evil in this town and no machinations of something sinister happening behind the scenes. This is nothing more than a twisted fantasy concocted by Rachel’s broken mind and soul to make sense of the fact, that family strife led to the accident that killed her only son. Which means, there is no twin, no Elliot. Just a projection created to cope with her part in losing her baby boy and because her husband was unwilling to face reality and support her and get her proper help, things spiraled out of control and brought this mess to life and well… that’s a stunning revelation to find here. One that truly hammers home the power and the dangers of grief. Since this twist servers to remind us that when someone is left to their own devices while grieving… dangers untold can come to fruition. The kind that can allow for a person to lose themselves within their pain, making it imperative we support and help those struggling with loss… so they can enjoy a fresh start.

Which is a message that is handled in a heavy manner of course, for this is a horror film, one that’s terror extends beyond its unsettling reveal. Because everything leading up the truth, is impactful and horrifying in nature. Since it is filled to the brim with haunting images and unsettling moments that make one’s skin crawl, and when you take that imagery and the performances of Teresa Palmer and Steven Cree and combine them with that surprise… you’re left with a brilliant horror film. One that is impactful in its commentary and messaging and stays with you long after it’s come to an end. And as an added bonus, you have several avenues available to you to check this one out. Since The Twin is now in theaters and available to stream via Shudder, and we most certainly hope you do take the time to swing by your multiplex or load up the app to see this movie. Because this is an important horror story that needs to be seen and celebrated.  

---