Antrum (2018)

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Antrum (also known as Antrum: The Deadliest Film Ever Made) is a 2018 Canadian mockumentary horror film written and directed by David Amito and Michael Laicini. The film is divided into two parts: an opening and closing frame narrative in the form of a mockumentary and a feature film. The documentary purports to tell the story of Antrum, a movie released in the late 70s that supposedly has deleterious effects on those who watch it; the bulk of the movie is allegedly the only known print of the film, which has itself been altered by an unknown third party.

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Have had this on ice for a few weeks and finally got the opportunity to watch it properly (without much noise, in the dark, etc.). It's a mockumentary with a movie within a movie (Antrum). The premise of the brief mockumentary part is establishing that the movie is evil and kills people who see it. After the initial introduction, the movie itself is then shown and then during credits it goes back to the mockumentary.

The mockumentary part was pretty mediocre-bad. It just wasn't really necessary and actively hurts the vibe and atmosphere of the actual movie part.

As for the movie, it was pretty fricking solid. It's not a scary-horror movie but more of a trippy-atmospheric horror. It's really unsettling and is done in a 70s style with 70s lower budget dubbing and it feels like a dream. The lower quality of "film" allows for some visual trickery and disruption.

It's also a very low budget production which really does help with the confusion. I couldn't tell if some of the "hiding" stuff was just an accident or something you should notice. You really look around watching this movie for things and sometimes you think you see a creature hiding in plain sight but it's just your brain trying too hard. For instance, there is a part where the brother draws a cross in the dirt, but then when the siblings talk that area of dirt is in the background and the cross is upside down. I legit thought at first I just didn't pay attention originally and "missed" it, but then I realized it was just a little thing fricking with my brain.

I highly suggest watching with a real sound system on high or via headphones (like I did). There are a lot of ambient sounds and sounds that make you feel like a demon interjected itself into the scene. Also, you really need to watch this while focusing b/c I can see how this movie would totally suck if it's just something you're casually watching or in the background. You have to get into it and let the atmosphere seep into your bones.

I'll say 6.5/10. The mockumentary part sucks and the low budget keeps this from being scary. But it's effectively atmospheric, evil, and makes you feel like you're watching something you're not supposed to (which is why the mockumentary part beating you over the head with this takes away from the overall movie). Bang for the buck (based on budget) is probably a 9/10.

It's on Prime streaming.