Seeing this in 90 minutes and pregaming by throwing Barbarian on. Can't wait to see what Cregger has up his sleeve!
This was fantastic. Loved the narrative shifts, especially James’ vignette. That third act was so incredibly satisfying. My face hurt from smiling at the catharsis and absurdity. Alex breaking the limb for Gladys was such an “OH SHIT HERE WE GO!” moment in my theater that it reminded me of the “let’s get this party started” button press in The Cabin In The Woods”. Like the shoe is about to drop!
Reading the script now, or at least a version. Only change I’ve noticed so far is that Archer was at one point pissed off at the construction job and the only one on top of things, instead of being the reason everything was off. Just a subtle shift to show how the disappearance is affecting every aspect of his life, makes way more sense for the character. everything else so far has been dead on what happened on screen, they were really prepared.
I really enjoyed the experience of reading the script first. I wouldn't have been able to handle the jump scares otherwise. It was super fun to see just how much humor everyone was able to inject into the film; something that isn't immediately apparent on the page. Brolin flinging Austin Abrams across the living room over and over had everyone howling with laughter. It was really, really fun being a step ahead of the rest of the theater; I was as interested in their reactions as I was the movie.
I'm still glad I went in knowing nothing, can't imagine knowing everything. But I do want to see it again so maybe I'll get that experience. I'm working on some horror scripts now so I'm trying to take inspiration from one that I thought really worked. You could tell he had so many of the shots planned out perfectly in this.
The description of Paul and Justine having sex is just: "INT. BEDROOM They fuck." Interesting to read what they changed and what they kept in. A lot of it is exactly what's in the final movie, the ending changes some pretty significant things. But mostly things are just trimmed down or edited out to keep it moving. Weird how a few of the more memorable details were added later. Changes I noticed: James was Anthony, Marcus was Andrew. Extra little scene with Paul at a doctor, saying he got stuck with a needle from a trash bag. James pulling on the car doors didn't have the lying phone call about getting a job, must've needed something more. Also didn't say much when getting arrested, making him constantly lying really added to his character. James got punched by a drug dealer before the pawn shop. No "Willow" moment, also doesn't say he's phobic, some of the best lines. Wow, Marcus who was Andrew was also married to a woman. Apparently Alex's mom is a writer and his dad is just a stay at home dad, so no one would check on them from work which I saw brought up a few times. Gladys sliced her hand with a razor instead of just using the stick, sharp stick part works better IMO. Cut moment of Gladys watching Alex sleep. Her introduction to him is all a little more stretched out in general. Probably the biggest change, Gladys originally got a possession from each kid by taking Alex's Valentine's Day cards. It seems kind of awkward, also gives Alex less agency. Omits the scene where he talks to Justine as he's taking the name cards. Nothing about Gladys being too sick and needing something more. Really glad they changed this. Gladys has Alex's mom hold a knife to her own throat so he doesn't say anything. When Alex's parents come at him he had already stolen the stick, but does the spell wrong and they fight each other. This is way less tension than the final version where they're still coming at him. Originally a cheese grater on Paul's face, very interesting. And no ending voice over from the child.