Watch The Arbors

The Arbors is an independent horror movie from 2020, directed by Clayton Witmer and stars Drew Matthews, Ryan Davenport, and Sarah Cochrane. The plot follows Ethan (Matthews), a young man who inherits his estranged father's rural home following his sudden death. While exploring the house, Ethan discovers a mysterious door that leads to a hidden attic. To his bewilderment, the attic contains an interdimensional portal that exposes him to the horrors of the parallel universe beyond.

The movie starts with a slow-paced scene that sets a creepy tone, immediately letting the audience know what they are in for. The first half of the film is spent building up the suspense, introducing the mysterious attic and its strange properties, while also providing some background on Ethan's life and his relationship with his father. Witmer's direction is effective here, using the beautiful but eerie countryside landscape to create an ominous atmosphere.

In the latter half of the movie, things start to escalate quickly as Ethan begins to experience strange events and frightening hallucinations. Drew Matthews' performance is authentic and believable, portraying Ethan's fear and confusion in a very realistic manner. The other actors also do a great job, bringing depth to their characters despite their limited screen time.

The visual effects in The Arbors are impressive, especially considering the movie's limited budget. The portal to the other dimension is created using a combination of practical effects and post-production work, resulting in a genuinely unsettling and otherworldly experience. The movie's sound design is also noteworthy, with a haunting score and ambient sound effects that further enhance the sense of dread.

One of the strengths of The Arbors is its willingness to tell a story that is both compelling and unique. While it does borrow elements from other horror movies, such as the haunted house trope, the film takes its own approach to its main plot and its twists. It is a refreshing take on horror that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The movie's pacing is deliberately slow, which may not be to everyone's taste. However, for those who enjoy slow-burning horror movies that build up atmosphere and tension, this approach will be a welcome change. The overall mood of the movie is dark, and the horror elements are subtle, creepily crawling under your skin over the course of the film.

In terms of flaws, The Arbors has a few. The movie's ending is not entirely satisfying, and some of the effects feel clunky and cheap. The secondary characters do not receive a lot of attention, making it harder for the viewer to feel invested in their fates. Additionally, certain scenes feel stretched unnecessarily, adding to the already slow pace of the film.

Overall, The Arbors is an impressive and ambitious independent horror movie with a lot of strengths. The movie's direction, acting, effects, and sound design are all impressive, but it is the story that stands out the most. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares or gore, the movie puts the focus on its characters and their journey through a nightmare. People who enjoy slow-burning horror films that create a creepy atmosphere should give this one a shot.

The Arbors is a 2021 suspense movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.