Introduction
Allow me to begin this review by putting you into the opening scene of the movie:
You arrive home after a fun night on the town. It’s late, you’ve had too much to drink, and you’re thankful to have made it home safely. You reach for the light switch and flip it on, but nothing happens. Thinking the power must be out, you decide to just stumble around in the dark instead of attempting to locate the fuse box. Thankfully there’s enough moonlight shining through the windows to be able to see without tripping over anything. After you finally make it to the bedroom, you stop dead in your tracks as you notice something is there that shouldn’t be: a large, antique wooden box is sitting in the middle of your room. You’ve never seen it before, but before your mind has time to process its presence, the box begins to rattle as though someone is inside.
What a creepy, attention-grabbing opening. “The Collector,” directed by Marcus Dunstan, plunges audiences into a nightmarish scenario of survival and terror. This slasher/body horror film follows Arkin, a desperate handyman who plans to rob a wealthy family’s home, only to find himself trapped inside with a sadistic killer who has rigged the house with deadly traps. Combining elements of home invasion, psychological horror, and slasher grotesqueness, “The Collector” delivers a relentless and suspenseful experience, leaving viewers on edge from start to finish. With its intense atmosphere, inventive traps, and a chilling antagonist, the film promises a gripping and harrowing journey into the dark recesses of human cruelty and desperation.
Horror Elements
The true standout of “The Collector” is its unique antagonist, a meticulously cunning and sadistic figure known only as “The Collector.” Unlike typical horror villains, The Collector isn’t motivated by vengeance or supernatural forces; his drive is pure malevolence and an unsettling fascination with his victims’ suffering. He meticulously plans his captures, turning homes into macabre death traps that showcase his twisted ingenuity. With his eerie mask and calculated demeanor, The Collector is a master of psychological manipulation, instilling dread through his omnipresence and unpredictability. This villain’s methodical cruelty and unrelenting pursuit of his prey elevate the film’s terror, making him a memorable and chilling figure in the horror genre.
Despite its gripping premise, “The Collector” stretches the boundaries of plausibility, veering into unrealistic territory at times. The elaborate traps, while ingeniously designed, often feel too complex and intricate to be set up in the limited time frame suggested by the film. The antagonist’s ability to orchestrate such a meticulously detailed and deadly environment without detection strains credibility, especially considering the physical and logistical challenges involved. Additionally, the resilience of the characters, particularly their ability to endure extreme physical trauma and continue fighting, can come across as exaggerated and far-fetched. These elements, while contributing to the film’s tension and entertainment value, require a significant suspension of disbelief, reminding viewers that they are watching a carefully crafted piece of fiction rather than a scenario grounded in reality.
Suspense is the driving force behind “The Collector,” gripping the audience from the very first scene and never letting go. The film masterfully builds tension through a combination of claustrophobic settings, unpredictable traps, and the ever-present threat of the antagonist. Each moment is fraught with danger, as Arkin navigates the booby-trapped house, with every step potentially triggering a deadly mechanism. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Arkin and The Collector heightens the suspense, as viewers are constantly left guessing about who will gain the upper hand. The film’s pacing is relentless, with each narrow escape and close call amplifying the sense of impending doom.
“The Collector” tantalizes viewers with glimpses of the antagonist’s enigmatic backstory, adding layers of intrigue to his character. While much about The Collector remains shrouded in mystery, these hints suggest a dark and twisted past that shaped his sadistic tendencies. The lack of a fully fleshed-out backstory for The Collector serves to enhance his menacing presence, making him an even more unpredictable and terrifying figure. By leaving much of his history to the imagination, the film allows the audience to fill in the gaps with their own fears, deepening the psychological impact of the character and heightening the overall sense of dread. A little backstory is given at the very end of the film, but not enough to allow any of the built-up dread to evaporate.
Audio cues play a crucial role in amplifying the tension and fear in “The Collector.” The film utilizes a carefully crafted sound design to heighten the sense of impending danger and to keep viewers on edge. Sudden, jarring noises accompany the triggering of traps and make each encounter even more shocking. The soundtrack features a mix of eerie, unsettling music and stark silences, creating a palpable sense of dread and anticipation. Ambient sounds, such as the creaking of floorboards or the subtle clicking of a timer, are used to great effect, immersing the audience in the film’s perilous environment. To hear a soft music box-type jingle, followed by electronica beats, followed by a complete lack of any sound at all really set me on edge.
Arkin, the protagonist of “The Collector,” often pushes the boundaries of believability, which can detract from the film’s overall realism. His transformation from a desperate handyman to a resourceful hero capable of outsmarting a cunning and sadistic antagonist feels abrupt and somewhat implausible. The sheer physical endurance he displays, surviving severe injuries and enduring extreme stress while still managing to navigate the house’s deadly traps, stretches credibility. Additionally, his ability to think quickly and devise escape strategies in the heat of the moment seems beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person with his background. While these traits make Arkin a compelling and resilient character, they require a significant suspension of disbelief from the audience, reminding them that they are watching a heightened cinematic portrayal rather than a realistic scenario. Honestly, I think I would’ve liked the film a lot more if the entire film stuck to the initial plot of him stealthily navigating the house, having to endure hearing those around him die, while he kept hidden, too terrified to take action. That alone was a unique, super scary premise to me.
Movie Elements
The film’s concept of a protagonist who becomes an unintended victim during a planned heist is a fresh twist that sets it apart from typical horror plots. The antagonist’s elaborate and inventive traps add another layer of originality, showcasing a perverse creativity that is both horrifying and fascinating. Additionally, the film’s relentless pacing and the claustrophobic setting of a booby-trapped house provide a distinctively intense and immersive experience. By combining these elements, “The Collector” really did show quite a bit of originality.
The cinematography of the film significantly enhances its suspenseful and claustrophobic atmosphere. Director of Photography Brandon Cox uses tight, confined shots to amplify the feeling of entrapment and tension as Arkin navigates the perilous, booby-trapped house. The film’s lighting is stark and strategic, with dimly lit corridors and rooms that heighten the sense of dread and uncertainty. Dynamic camera angles and movements are used to mirror the characters’ anxiety and disorientation. Quick cuts and shaky handheld shots during moments of intense action create an immersive experience, drawing viewers into the chaos and danger. Conversely, slow, deliberate pans build suspense, allowing the terror to unfold gradually. Two scenes in particular really stood out to me, the first being when the main character Arkin is attempting to crack open the safe and the killer slowly walks upstairs toward him. The camera pans to a top view, enabling viewers to see how close these two characters are to one another; the tension is so high it is palpable. Secondly, the other scene that really stood out to me, was when the first full trap is realized by the characters and zoom-in shots of all its mechanical workings reveal just how intricate it is. Those two scenes were really well done.
As I mentioned earlier, the plot was creative but highly unrealistic. I didn’t like any of the characters, though the acting was fine. Whenever someone was killed, I honestly didn’t feel any sort of emotional tie that made me think “Nooo, why couldn’t that person have lived!”. Part of me enjoyed the main character when he started to fight back against The Collector, but the other part of me screamed “Why the hell didn’t he do it sooner?”. I feel as though he let the other people in the film just die and it was only at the very end that he finally started to take direct action. Wouldn’t it have been smarter to immediately set the other two adults locked in the basement free? Three against one, right? Also, if the main character was willing to break a window and just run for it, why not do that immediately upon finding himself trapped with a psycho? Another sore point for me, why the heck didn’t the younger daughter run to Arkin when he was actually inside the house calling/looking for her, instead of waiting to bang on the window after he was already outside running for help? Yet another point that bothered me, was the electrocution scene. How did a full-grown man get electrocuted to death by the water on the floor, but the goldfish that was in that water survived just fine? Perhaps the most egregious part of the film, however, was that both the cat and dog died… I mean seriously? Isn’t that the number one horror film faux-paus? Always let the pets live… come on.
Moving on from my plot rant, the film effectively balances moments of quiet unease with sudden bursts of intense action, keeping the audience constantly engaged. The traps set by the antagonist are revealed strategically, adding layers of suspense and unpredictability to the narrative. As the protagonist, Arkin, navigates the deadly obstacles and confronts the malevolent Collector, the pacing intensifies, culminating in a gripping climax that delivers on the film’s promise of heart-pounding thrills.
Conclusion
Reflecting back on the beginning of this review, I would say the intro scene is the perfect summary of how I feel about this movie- it’s creepy and disturbing, and the characters make a lot of dumb decisions. I mean, seriously folks- you’re gonna see a random box in the middle of your room and not immediately run out of the house? I would’ve been out of there so fast and I certainly would not have approached it to take a better look at what might be inside. Overall, the movie had too much torture and icky scenes for me to enjoy it much. It was definitely worth seeing as it was interesting for me even though I’m not a fan of that style of horror. The antagonist’s intricate traps and the protagonist’s desperate struggle amplify the sense of danger and uncertainty and kept me captivated from start to finish. While requiring a suspension of disbelief, the film’s commitment to delivering intense thrills and psychological tension will make you walk away with a lasting impression of its unsettling atmosphere, ensuring it remains a memorable and impactful experience for fans of the genre.
Final Scare Me Please Score: What’s wrong with just collecting stamps, out of 100
Have you watched this movie? What did you think? Would you have done anything different to try and escape the house? Drop a comment below to let us know!
Scare Me Please 