The Well is the new horror feature from Federico Zampaglione and pays homage to some of the Italian horror greats
Italian horror played a huge part in shaping what Moviehooker has become today. Films like Lamberto Bava’s Demons, or Michele Soavi’s The Church were some of the first horrors to gross me out. These over-the-top yet insanely gruesome practical effects seem to have been lost with the films that created them…until now.
The Well is the new film from Federico Zampaglione and tells the story of a young American woman who travels to Italy to restore an old painting. On the way to her client’s house, we meet some characters, also from America – in true horror fashion, we know at some point, these guys are just lambs for the slaughter.
If you’re reading negative reviews about this film then I am pretty certain those who’re reviewing it do not understand where this film comes from or what era in horror in masterfully represents and recreates. This is a love letter to 80s/90s Italian horror and it is a love letter that is beautifully written.
With the introduction of other characters, the film almost becomes two different movies with a final act, bringing both sub-genres together.
We have the story of the damaged painting. Damaged and unrecognisable, with each part of painting restored, a dark supernatural truth is slowly revealed. Then, we have what’s going on in the basement. A huge, brainless psycho keeps prisoners in a cage. Each day the psycho takes one of the prisoners, tortures them within an inch off their life and throws them to to a Flesh-eating creature in a well. I mean, what’s not to love about that?
The Well is a great low-budget independent horror. It takes love and inspiration from some of the greats and gives us a horror film that looks and feels like its 40-years old. This is one for those who like their gore.
7/10⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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