Hello fellow horror film fanatics. It’s been a while, but I’m proud to say I’m back on my blog. What better to make a return then to write about a creepy film I watched with my best friend recently?
“The Collector” was introduced to me by my manager at Spirit Halloween when he learned I am a super fan of the “Saw” franchise. (I will definitely write a review about those movies soon) He recommended it to me solely for the use of traps in the film.
If you have seen “Saw,” you know that Jigsaw kills his victims using traps mechanically engineered to where there is no way out until you complete the task at hand. Well, traps are used in “The Collector” but in a more intriguing way.
Here let me give you more information.
“The Collector” is a 2009 horror thriller film about a man named Arkin, who plans to rob a family home to help his wife pay off some debt she owes. When he gets there, using his awesome pick locking skills may I add, he is greeted by deadly traps and another man in the house wearing a dark mask.
The storyline is kind of generic but while watching the film you learn (spoiler warning) the man wearing the mask is a collector. But what does he collect? People.
As strange as that sounds he keeps them as prisoners and puts them in a red box. Once that red box opens, there is a possibility, if you are the one who opens it — you’re next.
This film has a strange concept but the main character Arkin really makes the film work. Josh Stewart who plays Arkin is a great example of a protagonist in a horror film who decides to be the hero. He wants to save everyone — even risking his own life to do so.
Having a drive to save this family in the home he’s trying to rob shows the man has some heart. And I have to admit he’s smart with every move he makes and is pretty bad ass.
This movie had me holding my breath and some scenes were hard to watch with how gruesome the way The Collector would kill his victims.
But, what can I say, I enjoy a gory film every now and then.
The storyline is not only exciting but artistically speaking, has some really neat shots.
In the beginning of the film they did a good choice by showing flashing imagery of creepy insects that people find disgusting to make the audience feel a sense of discomfort before the movie even starts.
Not only that, some cinematography I really enjoyed was when the camera pans an overhead shot of the people wandering around the house. It gives a sense of urgency. That if a character makes one wrong step, they are dead.
This horror film is overall very exciting and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Later I found out the same people who made “Saw” also wrote “The Collector.” And after watching this film I actually prefer it over “Saw.” Maybe even the full franchise. (Yes I watched the sequel “The Collection”)
“The Collector” earns a 4 out of 5 stars in my book and “The Collection” is even better.
What did you think of “The Collector?” What was your favorite trap? Did you enjoy Arkin’s character just as much as me? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Spooky Reviews 