Chicago International Film Festival 2012
Citadel
Directed by: Ciaran Foy Cast: Aneurin Barnard, James Cosmo Running Time: 1 hr 28 mins Rating: NR Release Date: TBD
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PLOT: A new father (Barnard) becomes an agoraphobic after his wife is killed by evil people in his apartment complex.
WHO'S IT FOR? This horror movie is for those who want a little more to chew on than just blood and guts.
OVERALL
Anxieties are products of their environment with Citadel, an "After Dark" movie that will only unease those who already have a fear of shadowy, hooded figures in urban environments. Though it features the universal concept of evil forces of the night, Citadel is not bound to creep well with audiences who don't already comprehend the anxieties articulated by this story's directly metaphorical plot. Concentrated with its idea, Citadel is essentially a nightmare of urban decay, especially in a society in which selfishness seems to be the only means for survival. As someone actually says in this script, one that could use more subtlety, "It's a cruel thing to bring a child into a world like this."
With this contained concept, Citadel never really hits a high point as an emotional horror movie, despite a great performance from Barnard, who imbues the movie a strong center of victimization in such a morally unpredictable environment. The story's thrills, which simmer before they can really heat up, are usually anticipated, making the basic genre aspects of this movie underwhelming. Ultimately, this organic horror movie is most successful as a feat for its size, a slick-looking movie that makes solid aesthetic use of its inspiring environment, but one that lacks the same expressiveness in its script.
FINAL SCORE: 5/10