Absentia

First I want to go on record that I am not affiliated with anyone in this film...let's get that out of the way for the cranially challenged who made such a sniping comment on the instant video link. Now onto the important things: how utterly amazing this film is! I can't tell you when I have seen such a well done, well acted, atmospheric film as this. I am SOOO impressed with this. From beginning to end, the hair on your neck stands up. No cheap scares here either; just good ole fashioned story driven chills and thrills. Characters you truly come to care about and it all fits so well from beginning to end..you BELIEVE in these characters and they will haunt you for a long time to come. Interesting story, unique and oh so well done!! I won't go into the story, you need to see it to believe it. All I can say is I wish I could give it 10 stars!!!

I'd heard quite a bit of buzz for this film, but I've been disappointed by excessively positive word of mouth in the past, so I admit to being cautiously optimistic when I sat down to watch ABSENTIA. I need not have worried. It is easily the best, and more importantly, smartest horror movie of 2011. The most powerful horror films for me have always been those that exercise restraint, that put emphasis on character and mood, and give the viewer just enough to let their imaginations fill in the blanks. ABSENTIA is nothing less than a masterpiece of "quiet" horror, and unlike most movies in this genre in the current climate, every aspect of it worked for me. The limitations of the budget, rather than being evident in the final film, only enhance the piece. This is what makes great horror, and quite honestly, I haven't been this impressed since THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Less is only more when the talent is there to capitalize on it, and in the case of ABSENTIA, director Flanagan and his crew have nailed it. If there's any justice, this film will be seen by everyone and all involved will benefit as they should. This is what horror is all about.

Interesting Movie - lots of weird happenings and questions, that were not really answered

The English translation sounds entirely A.I.

If one looks at the box cover art for this film, it appears strictly to be a horror film but this film is so much more than that. What we have is a human interest story with thriller elements that may be a horror film deep within the screenplay's core. If you are the type of individual that likes strong character development and mysteries that slowly fill in pieces of the plot you'll enjoy this movie tremendously. As I was watching it the story went in various directions that made you wonder if the plot was simply focusing on a missing person and two women trying to come to grips within a place and time in their lives. But more adequately, the movie begins to fill in with details that may be a greater mystery relating to lost folks grounded in plot devices right out of an Arthur Machen story. With our two lead protagonists appearing to be unreliable narrators, the film slips into the unknown even more so. I'm trying to be as vague as possible since everyone should go in knowing nothing about this film. If you are looking to introduce someone to horror films, this is a good place to start since the thriller and mystery aspect of the plot give it a great cross over appeal (unlike what the box cover may present, ha ha). Hiding the box cover from my wife and saying it was more a thriller/mystery let her get involved with the story immediately and by the end she had as wonderful a viewing experience as I.

First of all, and I should've checked to see if anyone else has already made this point, that cover art is extremely misleading. This isn't DRAG ME TO HELL. But, I suppose if it gets a few more people to check this movie out it isn't all bad. I want to praise this film specifically for the two lead actresses and the tunnel location, which is a character in itself. Except for one or two unfortunate "information dump" sequences and narrative leaps of telling-not-showing, (and that's the fault of the script and direction)these women give two natural, quietly compelling performances (and it's a nice uninitentional (given the casting process) bonus that they happen to be normal women with average body-types). I often forgot they were actresses playing parts. The same can't be said, well, in my opinion, at least, for the male actors playing the detectives. For the most part, their acting is a distractingly stark contrast to the women. Especially the more aggressive one. (the other male actors are quite good, though)HOWEVER, this is nitpicking, when the film as a whole is so good. It's not perfect by any means, but, it's one of those movies which used to be called "sleepers"; worth seeing because it rises above its faults. I especially appreciated the way the story addresses doubt and memory. And you'd have to be incredibly hard-hearted not to relate to Tricia's feelings as her plans get yanked out from under her. If you're not a fan of intentionally ambiguous horror, this probably isn't for you. If you feel cheated by not being shown "everything", you'll definately be disappointed in the approach to the dark forces at work in the story (I actually felt the film would've benefitted from one less flash of reveal). All this aside, when a small movie can make a simple bathroom as realistically scary as this does, it's way above the majority of horror junk food out there. This leaves an impression afterwards that's a bit deeper than needing to pick your popcorn bucket off the floor.

Great movie but the quality of the abs itself is questionable at best

(Précision importante).Je commente la version import " zone 1".Qui elle a une version française 2.0.Audio.Mais aucun sous titre,n'y anglais,n'y français.Quant au film,le début est un peu intimiste.<<une fille vient rendre visite à sa soeure qu'elle n'a pas vue depuis longtemps.>>La premiere se remet d'une addiction à la drogue,fait du jogging et s'en sort plustot pas mal.La grande soeure,elle,habite dans un quartier mal fréquenté de Los Angeles.Et finalise le dossier de décses de son mari (in absentia).Ce qui veut dire qu'il a disparu un beau matin,voila 7 ans de cela,sans jamais réapparaitre.Le lieutenant de police qui a instruit cette disparition,est devenu l'amant de la présumée veuve.Et le future pere de l'enfant que cette derniere a ttend de lui.Tout roule pour le mieux.La petite soeure pousse sa grande soeure a reprendre sa vie en main et la pousse à sortire ,ce soir là avec son inspecteur,puisque elle a enfin obtenue l'acte officiel de deces de son mari.Au moment meme où ils sortent de la maison...qui est debout de l'autre coté de la rue ?...son disparu mari,déclaré mort depuis le matin meme au bout de 7 années.Celui-ci est dans un état cadaverique,et porte les memes habilles qu'au jour de sa disparition.Choqué il éxplique que tout ce temps il vivait sous terre retenu par une entitée,qui se déplace sous terre et dans les murs des maisons.Ce film est digne d'etre connus,il est du meme réalisateur que "oculus".C'est un film de genre tres réussi.Pour moi perso.çà ma rappellé,les bons vieux "X FILES".N'oubliez pas (version francaise zone 1 uniquement Pour l'instant .)

Plot was rubbish! Movie made worse by poor acting. Don’t buy it.

Super Klasse Film nur zum empfehlen

Dal regista di Oculus, il suo film precedente e inedito in Italia. Un po' come nel film successivo, ottima costruzione del mistero e della suspense, con qualche rozzezza in più ma anche con una dose di mistero insoluto in più. Che poi il finale aperto sia una furbata per non volersi sforzare a darci una spiegazione, può anche essere, ma è interessante come tutto il mistero sia leggibile anche come un dramma psicologico e quasi allucinatorio. Comunque sia, da vedere. Niente sottotitoli in italiano