The Unexpected Depths of “Barbarian”: A Horror That Bites Back
Detroit might not be the safest place on Earth, and its nocturnal suburbs? Let’s just say they have their own unique charm. It’s here that Tess (Georgina Campbell) finds an Airbnb, only to discover Keith (Bill Skarsgård) already settled in due to a booking glitch. With a storm raging outside, she decides to share the house for the night. What seems like a rom-com setup quickly spirals into a nightmare, with the real horror lurking in the house’s ominous basement. All it takes is opening that creepy door leading to the underground tunnel, and of course, venturing down out of sheer curiosity.
Bill Skarsgård as Keith in “Barbarian”
“Barbarian” initially appeared to be just another forgettable horror flick. But against all expectations, director Zach Cregger has crafted a modern horror masterpiece. The trailer only scratches the surface, revealing a mere 20 minutes of the film’s runtime. The story then takes a series of unexpected turns, defying all genre conventions.
Georgina Campbell as Tess Marshall in “Barbarian”
Cregger masterfully builds suspense, reminiscent of Hitchcock, making viewers squirm even at the sight of a simple cup of green tea. The film’s narrative unfolds like a paint-by-numbers picture, with seemingly random elements gradually forming a cohesive whole. Numerous “Chekhov’s guns” and “breadcrumbs” scattered throughout the film initially appear meaningless, but they ultimately converge into a shocking and unforgettable climax.
Justin Long as AJ in “Barbarian”
“Barbarian” aligns with the new wave of horror films, using fear and subterranean terrors to explore deeper themes. Like “It Follows,” “Hereditary,” and “Men,” it delves into trauma and the hidden recesses of the human psyche. Similar to “Men,” the protagonist finds herself in a series of increasingly dangerous situations: a desolate neighborhood, a confined space with a stranger, and a suspicious bottle of wine. However, the exploration of a woman’s experience in a patriarchal world is merely the beginning. Cregger has packed “Barbarian” with symbolism that is easily deciphered, provided you don’t take everything at face value.
Decoding the Depths (Spoilers Ahead!)
From this point forward, proceed at your own risk. If you haven’t seen the film, come back to this section later.
The film tackles two prevalent themes: the savior complex and the importance of enthusiastic consent. Tess embodies a character with strong critical thinking skills. Unlike the curious Keith, she doesn’t rush into the abandoned catacombs beneath the Airbnb. When Keith disappears into the tunnel, Tess impulsively goes to rescue him, despite the audience screaming, “Don’t go in there!” In the dark corridors, she encounters a monstrous figure, the product of incest, who seeks to make her captives her children. This feral “mother” figure represents the savior complex that Tess must confront.
The arrival of Justin Long in the second act (providing some much-needed comic relief after the intense first act) introduces AJ, the owner of the ill-fated Airbnb and a disgraced producer accused of sexual assault. He spends a good 15 minutes claiming that there are two sides to every story, and that he is, of course, the victim. Now trapped in the tunnel himself, AJ will learn the hard way about the importance of enthusiastic consent when the monster tries to force-feed him her breast milk.
Bill Skarsgård as Keith in “Barbarian”
AJ learns nothing from his ordeal, his character reaching new depths of repulsiveness as he consistently portrays himself as the victim. Even after Tess, who has had multiple opportunities to escape, risks her life to save him from the monster, AJ abandons her to her fate. AJ is ultimately undone by his own egocentrism, while Tess, having learned a harsh lesson about trying to save others, literally kills the “mother” within herself and finally saves herself.
A Multi-Layered Masterpiece
“Barbarian” succeeds on multiple levels, both as an inventive horror film and as a symbolic art-house piece. Even without deciphering the film’s deeper meanings, it’s a thrilling and entertaining ride. However, viewers may develop a newfound phobia of booking accommodations online. After all, it’s now clear that you can’t spell “Barbarian” without “Airbnb.”