In the Tall Grass (2019)

October Challenge Day 20

I'd been eyeing In The Tall Grass for a bit, finally decided to give it try on a dark and lonely evening. It was a good choice for a dark and lonely night.

This Stephen King and son, Joe Hill, collaborative effort is very *Kingish* in that it's creepy, crawly - with highly original horror ideas - and yet still has some very odd (head tilting) moments. For instance, if you were driving down a deserted road and heard some child call out for help from some immense grass, would you go into the grass or would you be a reasonable person and call the police?

But you know - it's King's world. You go into the grass. And since it's King's world, you roll with it.

And that's where our story begins, with a brother and sister wandering into the grass to save a child they believe they heard calling for help. Folks, it just gets intensely weird from there. Religiously weird.

Right when the film finished I pretty much jumped up from the couch, pointed a finger at the TV and said something to the extent of "Someone call the burn unit for organized religions."

After sitting on it for a few days, I still feel pretty much the same. I'm going to put money on this being a scathing thought piece on (the hypocrisy of) religion. The blatant, empty church sitting next to this field is screaming symbolism - and that's just a start. The rest of the film is screaming: "Oh, we are mad. Rightfully mad."

I enjoyed the film. It's chilly, weird, and original. It's also so weird, slow, and original that I doubt it will be enjoyed by most horror fans. In fact, it may bore some audiences. Overall, the texture of this film is haunting, quiet, and the cold clings to the bones. It requires attention, patience, and an open mind. An ironic element, considering the story line.

Best watched alone or with one or two people. Wait for a dark and stormy night. Pairs with corn, bread, and soup.

I watched this film on Netflix. Use the Find it. Watch it. links on Horror Habit's side bar to locate where else you can find this chilling feature.