Censor is a 2021 British psychological horror film directed by Prano Bailey-Bond. It was produced from a screenplay by Bailey-Bond and Anthony Fletcher. The film stars Niamh Algar, Nicholas Burns, Vincent Franklin, Sophia La Porta, Adrian Schiller and Michael Smiley. Censor had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on 28 January 2021. It received the Méliès d'Or for Best European Fantastic Film.
After viewing a strangely familiar video nasty, Enid, a film censor, sets out to solve the past mystery of her sister's disappearance, embarking on a quest that dissolves the line between fiction and reality.
***SPOILER ALERT***
A Nostalgic Dive into Video Nasties
FREDDY:
Hey, hey! This is a drastic turn of style from last week's theme. I missed watching movies shorter than 2 hours π. Today we have a fast-paced, stylish and very well balanced and nostalgic (for those who lived through the VHS era) horror movie that runs for only 84 minutes. I think this movie is fantastic. You follow the fast paranoid delusional descent of Enid (Niamh Algar), a censor of "Video Nasties", (should we make a themed week out of this genre Krasnaya?). Throughout the movie you will end up with the same questions as the main character. And when I thought that I knew what was going to happen, I ended up being surprised. For the most usually predictable genre there is, horror, that's quite a feat.
Hey, hey! This is a drastic turn of style from last week's theme. I missed watching movies shorter than 2 hours π. Today we have a fast-paced, stylish and very well balanced and nostalgic (for those who lived through the VHS era) horror movie that runs for only 84 minutes. I think this movie is fantastic. You follow the fast paranoid delusional descent of Enid (Niamh Algar), a censor of "Video Nasties", (should we make a themed week out of this genre Krasnaya?). Throughout the movie you will end up with the same questions as the main character. And when I thought that I knew what was going to happen, I ended up being surprised. For the most usually predictable genre there is, horror, that's quite a feat.
KRASNAYA:
Hello Freddy! As you already know, I am not a fan of horror stories and before I started watching, I prayed that I would not have nightmares! But Censor turned out not to be a scary movie at all. I only flinched once during the scene with Enid's mom. Prano Bailey-Bond made a very cool art-house movie in the genre of psychological horror. Answering your question about a Nasties week, sure, if you wish to see me grow white hair in a week.
Hello Freddy! As you already know, I am not a fan of horror stories and before I started watching, I prayed that I would not have nightmares! But Censor turned out not to be a scary movie at all. I only flinched once during the scene with Enid's mom. Prano Bailey-Bond made a very cool art-house movie in the genre of psychological horror. Answering your question about a Nasties week, sure, if you wish to see me grow white hair in a week.
A Balanced Psychological Horror
FREDDY:
We have plenty of other horror movies that might give you nightmares in this week's theme, hehe! The editing and the 35mm shots in this movie are awesome. I thought that the scene in the movie set, where the frame starts to slowly shorten, until it reaches a super 8 video format, which is reflecting the loss of reality's grip by Edin, was very ingenious. I was also pleasantly surprised with the gore scenes, not because they are very graphic, but because they are funny. The first death is very childish! The axe one was more serious, but a quick follow-up decapitation quickly eased the tension. This is why I found this movie very balanced in terms of horror; we only get one jump fright, a couple of gore scenes, and a lot of psychological pressure. All of this is wrapped up in a good mystery story.
We have plenty of other horror movies that might give you nightmares in this week's theme, hehe! The editing and the 35mm shots in this movie are awesome. I thought that the scene in the movie set, where the frame starts to slowly shorten, until it reaches a super 8 video format, which is reflecting the loss of reality's grip by Edin, was very ingenious. I was also pleasantly surprised with the gore scenes, not because they are very graphic, but because they are funny. The first death is very childish! The axe one was more serious, but a quick follow-up decapitation quickly eased the tension. This is why I found this movie very balanced in terms of horror; we only get one jump fright, a couple of gore scenes, and a lot of psychological pressure. All of this is wrapped up in a good mystery story.
KRASNAYA:
For me, this film belongs in the “one-man show” category, since all attention is focused on the main character and the metamorphoses that occur with this character. The other actors involved in the movie merely performed certain functions that contributed to the disclosure of our main character. Niahm Algar, who played the role of Enid, was able to perfectly convey the feelings of paranoia and nervousness.
For me, this film belongs in the “one-man show” category, since all attention is focused on the main character and the metamorphoses that occur with this character. The other actors involved in the movie merely performed certain functions that contributed to the disclosure of our main character. Niahm Algar, who played the role of Enid, was able to perfectly convey the feelings of paranoia and nervousness.
Blurring Reality and Fiction
KRASNAYA:
I really liked the camera work, especially in the forest scenes. I got the feeling that I was given magic mushrooms and had a complete immersion. It all looks so beautiful and aesthetic on the one hand, and insane on the other. As a result, Censor turned out to feel very truthful in displaying the fictional world built in Enid's head, gradually and completely obscuring the outside world. That's the scariest thing in the movie.
I really liked the camera work, especially in the forest scenes. I got the feeling that I was given magic mushrooms and had a complete immersion. It all looks so beautiful and aesthetic on the one hand, and insane on the other. As a result, Censor turned out to feel very truthful in displaying the fictional world built in Enid's head, gradually and completely obscuring the outside world. That's the scariest thing in the movie.
FREDDY:
I agree, the ending is my favorite scary part. That's when we are inside of Enid's completely delusional reality. I love all the rainbows and smiley faces that are interrupted abruptly with black and white images of pure terror. Beautiful Irish actress Niahm Algar does a great job in her role of Enid. At first I thought this was going to be another 80's style horror movie that's so much in vogue after "Stranger Things", but no, I find it quite unique in style, colors and sound. This is a must watch for all psychological horror movie fans and people who miss video rental stores.
I agree, the ending is my favorite scary part. That's when we are inside of Enid's completely delusional reality. I love all the rainbows and smiley faces that are interrupted abruptly with black and white images of pure terror. Beautiful Irish actress Niahm Algar does a great job in her role of Enid. At first I thought this was going to be another 80's style horror movie that's so much in vogue after "Stranger Things", but no, I find it quite unique in style, colors and sound. This is a must watch for all psychological horror movie fans and people who miss video rental stores.
Krasnaya's Score
70/100
Freddy's Score
79/100
FINAL SCORE
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