THATFILMGUY

[pullquote cite=”” type=”left, right”][amazon text=Amazon&template=carousel&chan=that film guy&asin=B004KKX16G][/pullquote] The Hole in 3D (watched in 2D) is a film directed by Joe Dante that attempts to take horror film conventions and apply them to a teenage film. Released 11^th September 2009, it was reasonably successful at the box office. Guillermo Del Toro helped write the script in an uncredited role and his influence can be seen throughout. It seems Mr. Del Toro is trying to single-handedly trying to force a renaissance in horror films and The Hole demonstrates how far you can go when creating a film to scare children and teenagers.

The plot revolves around a single-parent family that move to a new area. Dane (Chris Massoglia) and Lucas (Nathan Gamble) are brothers who discover a trapdoor in the basement of their new home, and along with neighbour Julie (Haley Bennett) begin to experience weird and frightening events. It’s nice that the frights don’t happen until some time is spent with the main characters, so that we get to know and like them. The two boys in particular create one of the most realistic brother relationships in some time.

Joe Dante really brings his experience from Piranha, Gremlins and the TV show Eerie, Indiana to the fore in The Hole and the result is just how scary the film actually is. Unlike a lot of other Hollywood horrors, this one is genuinely creepy, with effects that are lifted from The Exorcist, The Ring and Child’s Play, there is plenty in here to scare children of all ages. It’s so effective that I’d avoid showing it to children under 12 or you may find that they have trouble sleeping for weeks after.

Much like Dante’s finest work Gremlins, it feels like a Disney film directed by David Cronenberg. There’s a great big chunk of darkness at its heart and its cold and sometimes hilarious riffs on famous horror prove to the torture-porn fanatics that you don’t need to revel in the pain and suffering that defines a lot of modern horror. So creators of Saw and Hostel, take note. This is horror at its best.

Thomas Patrick