Though he is only a producer on the film Antlers, you can see and feel Guillermo del Toro’s influence everywhere in it. The film has a dark and gloomy Pacific Northwest setting that he enjoys.
He hands over the direction to Scott Cooper, who has shown he can create a haunting atmosphere in his previous films like Out of the Furnace and The Pale Blue Eye. Antlers is based on Nick Antosca’s 2019 short story called “The Quiet Boy.”
It is now available on Peacock. In this movie, del Toro works with Cooper and two talented actors known for horror roles, Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons.
Graham Greene also plays a wise man with a story to share. Together with newcomer Jeremy T. Thomas, they create one of the creepiest films of the decade. The film features serious body horror and an ancient, evil force from nature that will kill and harm everything to survive.
Set in a dull, rural mining town in Oregon, Antlers tells the story of a middle school teacher named Julia Meadows, played by Russell.
Julia returns to her hometown after facing childhood abuse from her father and struggles with drinking. She moves in with her brother Paul, the local sheriff, played by Plemons. They become involved in the life of a strange student named Lucas Weaver, played by Thomas.
Still from the movie (Peacock)
Julia notices Lucas arrives at school looking dirty and hungry, and he tells odd stories. Curious about his home life, she digs deeper, not knowing what she will find.
After asking Paul for help with a possible child abuse case, they all become caught in a terrifying change when Lucas’ father, Frank, played by Scott Haze, gets possessed by an ancient Native American spirit.
This spirit takes over human bodies and becomes the Wendigo, a creature that needs a human host to live. The Wendigo is a bizarre mix of man and twelve-point buck, which fits del Toro’s style.
Every good Guillermo del Toro film has many layers of horror that hold the audience’s attention. Antlers shows Scott Cooper creating a haunting mood. The first layer is about the loneliness and slight hope that runs through the whole film.
The gray and gloomy setting acts like its own character in the story. People from that area of the United States understand how dark and cold it can feel living without sunlight for a month.
It can take a toll on your mind and body. Cooper cleverly uses a pale blue-green lens filter to make the most of the natural surroundings.
The second layer of horror is the incredible body horror that often appears in del Toro’s films. As the Wendigo creature slowly takes over Frank’s weak and drug-affected body, it is painful to watch him lose himself completely.
Lucas gathers roadkill to feed his father before he starts to eat humans. Lucas becomes so wild and unstable that he has to be locked away in the attic.
Still from the movie (Peacock)
Once the Wendigo breaks free from its human host, chaos ensues, and bodies start piling up while Paul tries to keep control.
The creature’s design comes from ideas by Cooper, concept designer Guy Davis, producer Shane Mahan, and the horror legend del Toro.
At its core, Antlers tells a story about siblings. The main theme is Julia and Paul trying to reconnect after being apart for years, or Lucas trying to protect his younger brother, Aidan, played by Sawyer Jones.
Cooper and del Toro skillfully mix horrifying scenes with relatable, sad family relationships tested in tough times.
The film also deals with the heavy issue of parental abuse, which adds to the total gloom. Together, they create a fantastic and creepy film that del Toro can be proud of, even as he oversees another director who delivers the dark story.
As long as del Toro is involved in the production, it is almost guaranteed to be unique and a memorable viewing experience.
Matilda and Niles Valentine are the fastest newcomers on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, but there are worries about the Ghanaian native.
Niles and Matilda first connected online when she messaged him “out of nowhere.” They chatted online for about two years, and Niles fell in love during their conversations. Due to his autism, Niles found it hard to connect with others, which made him feel isolated.
However, he believes he has found the love of his life. He was so sure that Matilda was the one that he proposed over the phone, even though they had never met in person.
Like other stars from Before the 90 Days, they have not met yet, but the couple plans to get married during Niles’ trip to Ghana. Niles believes Matilda is his soulmate, but I am not fully convinced about their situation.
My biggest concern is how quickly Matilda wants to rush into their wedding plans. They have been connected since Matilda randomly messaged Niles online, which makes their relationship feel rushed.
Because of his autism, Niles struggled with social situations, was bullied as a child, and often avoided sharing his true thoughts.
Still, his conversations with Matilda made him feel special, leading to his quick proposal. Matilda was excited and began planning their wedding right away after she accepted.
Niles felt overwhelmed and anxious about getting married so soon. He was worried because his family did not support the relationship and his decisions.
Therefore, Niles wanted to take more time to get to know Matilda and save up to give her the wedding of her dreams.
Still from the show (MAX)
Niles tried to be honest with Matilda about his feelings. But when he spoke up, she responded with a firm “don’t let me down.”
This made him rethink his words and wait to talk more in person. I understand Matilda’s excitement about marriage, but I also see Niles’ perspective. If Matilda truly loved Niles, I think she would be more willing to wait for a wedding.
Another worry is how openly Matilda has talked about her family’s need for money and her wish to live in America, which raises questions about her true motivations. Quick marriages are common in this franchise.
For example, Tigerlily Taylor and Adnan Abdelfattah got married just after she arrived, mostly due to Adnan’s Muslim faith. However, I question Matilda’s reasons for wanting to rush into marriage.
In her confessional, Matilda mentioned that her father was a carpenter but has passed away. Because of this, her family lost that income source.
She helps her mother sell plantains at the market, but they do not earn enough money and are barely getting by. Additionally, she finds Offinso boring and wants to live in a place with fancy clubs and large restaurants.
While many people on 90 Day Fiancé want to enjoy the benefits of living in America, they usually see these perks as extra bonuses that come with being with the one they love.
It seems Matilda cares more about her lifestyle and living in a nice place than being truly happy with Niles.
In the end, I feel Matilda might be taking advantage of Niles. Since Niles has autism and finds it hard to understand social cues, it is possible that he does not realize how Matilda may be manipulating him emotionally. I think Niles was right to postpone the wedding.
Spending time with Matilda in person will help him better understand their relationship and see if she genuinely cares for him.
If she truly cared and understood more about his autism, I hope she would be willing to wait patiently. I just hope Niles stays true to his plan and speaks up when he finally meets his Ghanaian queen. 90 Day Fiancé and its spin-offs air on TLC and are available to stream on Max in the U.S.
