A sci-fi thriller that moonlights as a horror flick has been branded ‘brilliant’ – though viewers are sharply divided in their opinions.
Hitting screens in 2021, the film depicts a world desperately hunting for a remedy to a catastrophic virus, following a scientist and park ranger as they trek into dense woodland. When darkness descends, their expedition transforms into a nightmarish odyssey through pure terror as the forest awakens menacingly around them.
The production, set to broadcast on Channel 4 this evening, was conceived, written, and crafted during the 2020 Covid lockdown, with several critics hailing it as amongst director Ben Wheatley’s finest achievements.
Professional reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes have lauded the frightening feature, with one noting: “In the Earth is a horror film with razor-sharp teeth, even if the relative flimsiness behind that facade betrays its spur-of-the-moment inception.”
A second critic said: “A chilling folk horror with the usual Wheatley-esque tongue in cheek approach.”
Yet audiences have spotted something entirely different, with some branding it the ‘worst movie ever’.
Several viewers claimed the experience felt so trippy they wondered whether they’d consumed narcotics, as one bewildered reviewer wrote: “Hallucinations galore. Felt like I hallucinated the entire movie, no plot, just me being on mushrooms?”
Another viewer posted: “This movie shows that Rotten tomatoes needs a change of the top critics. It’s one of the worst movies I have ever seen..a few psychedelic effects do not make a good movie.”, reports the Mirror.
However, not every cinema enthusiast dismissed In The Earth, with some expressing appreciation for it.
One enthusiastic review said: “Creepy and bloody fun. Plot is confusing and very out of sorts with no real explanation about what’s going on but leaving it open for interpretation leaves this feeling more like art than a movie which isn’t entirely a bad thing.
“The gore is beautiful and accurate and the scene with the flare was particularly masterful. Overall leaves you hungry for more answers and more run time.”
Another added: “Judging by the low star rating of this movie I would suggest that some people are missing the point, what does a director do when faced with a tiny budget, they get creative!”.
“If you like modern B movies (that could easily have been created decades ago) coupled with gory amateurish details, a splash of psychedelic shenanigans and acting as wooden as a third year drama play then you will be pleased. I was because films like this give me hope, another brave attempt at doing something different and it works. Rather than relying on big stars and huge budgets this films strips the art of film making back to the basics.
“Great use is made of lighting, sound and special camera effects, the journey is obvious but the content is refreshing. If you take your Hollywood hat off and pull up a chair for a bit of creative fun this movie will be your partner in crime. Nice one.”
In the Earth is on Channel 4 at 12.10am on Friday 5 December.