Carnival of Souls

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DanTheMan 2 Almost akin to that of a lost episode of The Twilight Zone, what Carnival of Souls lacks in budget, it more than makes up for in inventiveness. A film that fully embraces its shortcomings, where the low budget, gritty footage, and rough, amateur performances combine to create not only an unsettling atmosphere of dread but also a study of existential angst in the face of unimaginable horror. The workmanlike approach only serves to highlight its spectral qualities. An effective piece that nudges the feelings of loneliness we often face with a moody, nightmare-tinged quality. More than just a paranormal haunting, conformity itself drives the lead character, Mary, to madness, exploring the dark side of the '50s American ideal of a perfect society. The film's subdued black and white photography and Herk Harvey's impressive direction contribute considerably to its poetic, deathly palette of physical and emotional coldness. The occasional off-frame camera positioning makes the most mundane places and people seem like ghastly hallucinations, and shows a flair for elegantly employing existing locations and lighting to maximise disorientation value. The film's biggest strength lies not in the big reveal, which is almost painfully evident from the outset, but in the unsettling mood it creates and the striking images Harvey puts on the screen. Kicking the fight-or-flight response into overdrive, what might appear to be a relic of amateur expressionism, Carnival of Souls stands as a small marvel of creativity in the face of limited resources, with an uncanny knack for making your spine itch, evoking menace and a nameless dread, without ever resorting to explicit violence. Not a complete stunner but certainly a minor classic. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/07/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas de terror são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review Lau S I love this horror movie! Damn great! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Kalissa H Reminded me of The Twilight Zone in its “something’s not quite right” feel. I liked it. The version on HBO Max was crystal clear, so great quality. The people coming out of the water was a cool scene at the end. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review Stephen C Scares me in 1 1/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review J H Predictable, pedestrian, and filled with irritating "Count Chocula" music. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Carnival of Souls

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