"The Dark" versus "Suspiria"

Welcome readers to another one of MoVTie Critic's "Movie Versus". Two films, only one takes the most G.M.Stars. Today we have two horrific suspenseful thrillers that will make you wonder what's real and what lurks in the darkness of the human's soul.

Up first we have "The Dark". Deep in a forest in a forgotten home long since left to turn to rubble, something lurks among the trees. When a ma"n we come to know as Josef Hofer (Karl Markovics) makes the mistake of stopping there, he meets a grisly faith at the hands of a scarred undead girl who calls herself Mina (Nadia Alexander). After killing him like an animal, she explores his car and discovers Josef wasn't alone and in the back lies a boy under a blanket who has been blinded and wears no pants. He begs this new female's voice to know where Josef is and that he has followed Josef's instructions. Mina shows mercy to the boy named Alex and guides him around the forest. As their journey to find a phone for Alex, you learn of Mina's past and why she's alone and the dark events that led her to her fate and what this friendship will Alex will have instore for both of their futures.
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Next is the remake of "Suspiria" with a familiar cast of characters such as Dakota Johnson from the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy and Chloe Grace Mortez from "Kick Ass" 1 and 2 and the remake of "Carrie". Taking place in 1970's Berlin, we meet the new aspiring dancer Susie (Dakota Johnson) from America who's natural talent impresses the elite dance academy including the head instructor Madame Blac (Tilda Swinton) and accepted immediately. Unbeknownst to Susie, strange events have been going on around the academy and its household of women. Before her arrival, a student who she is told has left the school named Patricia (Chloe Grace Mortez) had gone to a local psychiatrist Dr. Klemperer (played by Tilda Swinton but credited as Lutz Ebersdorf) claiming that the school's employees are a coven of witches and have been seeking to take her body over. He dismisses it, but with her mysterious disappearance, he starts sticking his nose into things and tries to seek information from Susie and her new friend and fellow dancer who knew Patricia Sara (Mia Goth) about the goings on at the school. At first Sara has no belief, but when she witnesses a ritual after stumbling upon a secret room and the dark and gory secrets they've been keeping, she's convinced that Patricia was right and that they've set their sights on Susie as Patricia's replacement for someone they call Markos (Tilda Swinton in her third feature role of this film).

Now for the showdown. "The Dark" is disturbing and psychologically intriguing. A great deal went into the storytelling as well as casting and the special make-up effects that it took to bring this story to life. What was different about this film is that the so-called "monster" of the story is not the monster you originally perceive and that there are layers to Mina's story that puts her in a relatable and sympathetic light. This and a twist to the climax that is not seen in many films like this gives this film a four G.M.Star rating.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Suspiria" is without a doubt bizarre, grotesque and mind-gripping. This long, strange film can come off confusing but if followed closely you can see how unique this plot is. With a special appearance from the original Susie Jessica Harper making an appearance along with the spine-chilling special effects that will have you cringing in shock and make you want to sleep with the lights on. It is lengthy and can be confusing for those who don't follow the story from beginning to end or read the subtitles when they speak in German, but worth the watch for the true horror fans and takes home four stars with an extra half to spare making it the new champion of "Movie Verses"

⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Green Mountain Stars

So before you head out to Europe or take that hike through the woods, you might want to take a few safety measures, because you never know what might be lurking in the shadows, waiting for you.

"The Dark" and "Suspiria" are both available at Redbox and where movies are sold/streamed.