We often say the word “trope” in a derogatory way, as if using a tried and true formula is somehow wrong. The fact remains that for something to become a trope, it had to be successfully repeated dozens of times. So it’s not necessarily a bad thing for a horror movie to reuse tried and true formulas to create its story, if at least it ends up being an execution. This is the case with Oliver Park‘with Offerwhich ticks a few boxes on the horror cliché list while still providing good old fashioned horror entertainment.
First scene Offer it does something horror movies should do as it fulfills the audience’s expectations by revealing exactly what they will find in the next 93 minutes. The film revolves around a demonic entity that corrupts the minds of its victims and makes them see things that aren’t there. This demon can also change shape and take the form of dead people. Finally, this is not your regular Christian demon, as the entity comes from orthodox Jewish tradition. It is not a tiresome comparison Ole Bornedal‘with Ownership or Keith Thomas‘ Vigilas Offer also updates the demonic possession subgenre by focusing on Judaism. Still, Offer goes beyond your average Judaic horror film and creates something with serious franchise potential.
Like Ownership, Offer deals with a demon that does not operate within the constraints of Christian logic. There is no hell in Jewish tradition, and Lucifer does not send lackeys to capture the souls of the innocent. Instead, Jewish demons are actually dybbuks, evil spirits who corrupt people for their own means, usually willing to feed off suffering. They are independent agents that don’t follow a pre-defined set of rules, which means horror can be very creative in building the lore of these entities. Therefore Ownership and Offer dealing with the same dybbuk, Abyza, while approaching it quite differently. And while Ownership still trying to embrace the ageless structure of Christian exorcism, Offer turns the tables and builds a story that is all about trapping the demon instead of exorcising it.
OfferThe story of a reverse exorcism is heightened by the haunting setting of a funeral home. There’s something unnerving about dead bodies, and Park’s latest film is aware of the discomfort we all experience with the idea of death. Similar Vigil, Offer it also deals with the supernatural horror that a dead body can unleash on the world. Yet the latter delves deeper into Jewish traditions without fear of alienating the public. So, while Offer still builds its story on Jewish imagery and symbols, you won’t find a wise old man ready to explain the rituals you witness. The pieces are put together more subtly because Park leaves enough unexplained to pique the viewer’s curiosity about a culture most of us don’t know much about. The strategy also leaves enough cracks for his monstrous creature to slip through.
While Offer the film still relies too heavily on scares, finding a good balance between explaining the supernatural rules that dybbuk follow and embracing the unknown, this powerful force that magnifies our fears. The film also has a surprisingly solid human core Offer features a competent cast tasked with bringing flawed characters dealing with their faith, childhood trauma, and the bonds that bind them to their families. But while Nick Blood and Emm Wiseman do a decent job as the film’s leads, Allan Corduner and Paul Kaye shine brightest. Kaye in particular steals the scene multiple times, adding unexpected layers to a simple supporting character. It also helps highlight how Offer focuses on excellence instead of innovation.
There is not a single revolutionary character in it Offer or a thoughtful message hidden behind surprising metaphors. Instead, you get what you came for in Park’s Jewish horror. This means creepy children, distorted reflections in mirrors and flashing lights. On the surface it may sound like that Offer it just compiled the previous horror movies into a single storyline, and that wouldn’t be too far from the truth. Still, Park knows exactly how to pull everything together in a way that doesn’t feel forced or gratuitous, with the evil lurking in the funeral home actually serving the story of sacrifice and legacy. It’s a predictable story for sure, but one that was polished enough to be worth your time.
Not every horror movie needs to reinvent the wheel and offer never-before-seen elements. Sometimes we just need well-made scarecrows, even better when they come with real emotional stakes. Offer won’t get any points for originality, but people looking for a well-crafted horror movie can’t go wrong with Park’s latest film.
Rating: B
Offer hits theaters and digital on January 13.