watched this @ the movies! The suspense and spooks were all really good, there weren’t any cheap jumpscares and dumbass characters. (I can’t stand stupid characters in horror films, theyre always written that way to let the antagonist get an upper hand within the story but it always sacrifices the integrity of the writers.) The setting was also really fitting and tight, the whole movie focuses on the hotel and doesnt leave any loose ends with the world building.
Spoilers below:
The witch was not the film’s antagonist, she was moreso meant to serve as a mirror of the main character’s guilt. The main character went to that hotel to resolve his guilt about his childhood, thinking that going on a trip to spread his mom’s ashes under her favorite tree would absolve his guilt and be the answer to the question he’s been asking himself his whole life, “who should be punished and who should be forgiven?”
Only when he literally breaks free from the shackles of his guilt does he let go of his anger towards himself and the whole world. He’s angry towards strangers, random workers, the justice system, and his dad. And yes, he can be justifiably annoyed at these people but theres a simmering rage to his words, and at first, you dont exaclty know who that rage is dircted at. “Why is he such an angry man?”
He had to forgive himself, and that’s how he sets himself free.
Why I rated the movie 3.5 stars: I couldnt exactly connect with the main character, not because he wasn’t likeable but he wasn’t unlikeable enough lol. I guess his arc towards redemption couldve been better if he were a bigger asshole that the audience would first HATEEEEEE before developing empathy for. but that’s moreso preference tbh. still a good movie and id def recommend this for others to watch 🧐
