Dans les hautes herbes

Stephen King - I should have known. All the ingredients are there. So as you can guess then, I have not read the novel this is based on. But I did like the basic idea/theme this is build upon. Actually the very beginning is very strong and that carries throughout the movie.

While it does that, the movie itself feels like it loses a bit of traction, once every character and piece is introduced. I can only imagine (no pun intended), how this is written and how much plays in the mind of the reader. As a movie there are limitations, especially when it comes to one dimensional portrayals - or what feels like paper thin motivation at least. Still enough suspense here and overall a good horror movie.

So, this is not by any means a ground breaking piece of cinema. That being said I found it to be rather enjoyable. I put it on at 11:30 at night thinking it would be something to fall asleep to. Let's face it, most unknown films you find randomly scrolling through netflix usually are good for a snooze and that's about it. I ended up engrossed in the film and watched it all the way to the end feeling rather involved in the story. I see a lot of people complaining about how the characters made bad decisions. This is a horror film people, horror wouldn't exist if it weren't for people making bad decisions. If characters did the smart thing in any horror film it would be about 5 minutes long. Secondly the film's ending is quite easily understood ad long as you dont need your plots soon fed to you. Solid acting, good atmosphere and an amusing if not horribly original plot. You could definitely find worse things to watch.

This is the 3rd Netflix feature film Stephen King adaptation (Gerald's Game, 1922) and, for what it's worth, I think they can surely make some more. "In the Tall Grass" is not flawless, but it's entertaining, aesthetically pleasing & there's great bits in an otherwise mixed bag.

A lot of people are and will call "In the Tall Grass" pointless or empty, and it's true that its biggest flaw is the near miniature plot. The story never leads to anything shocking, huge or, well, to nothing quite satisfying enough. The shallowness of the main story line is compensated with shabby side plots of some of the characters. Sadly, I have not expierenced the novella and can't do any comparisons. I've read a LOT of King though. Besides the story, there were other aspects that kept me watching & engaged. Compliments to the cinematographer and camera & sound crews - technically "In the Tall Grass" is a treat, the stylistic solutions add a lot to the atmosphere & the sound design is the kind that can give you goosebumps given that you have the hardware of a melomaniac. Besides the technical side of the movie the acting's also top level, as much as it could be taking into account the script & characters. You'll probably find yourself not caring for one or few of them, but if one thing's for sure it's that Patrick Wilson most definitely doesn't fail to entertain. The pacing is quite fine - the middle part might get slower but it picks up again.

Overall "In the Tall Grass" is a mood piece, if you're not looking for a lot of substance, this is a good horror movie to watch loudly & in the darkness. I'll eat up any Stephen King adaptation and this one's grantedly above average. My rating: 7/10.

I liked it. It was on the level of a really well adapted Stephen King TV movie. It's horror with a dash of science fiction. I can't think of anything more descriptive than that. It gets a 7 out of 10 because it doesn't really follow its own rules and the ending is one of those "Because I believe in love" magic endings rather than something that felt really earned. Then and the dialog is hit and miss.

The story seems to be pretty simple, and I was left wondering how the film can go on for 80 minutes. The story gets a little more complex as time goes on, more thrilling, suspenseful and more disturbing. I enjoyed it.