Censor (Image: undefined)
An indie horror film that’s been dubbed ‘outstanding’ and ‘hard to shake’ airs on Film4 this evening.
Censor, which arrived in cinemas in 2021, is a British psychological horror set amidst the 1980s “video nasty” controversy.
The story centres on Enid, a fastidious film censor haunted by remorse over her sister’s vanishing during their youth, who becomes fixated on a harrowing horror production that echoes her own history.
Her investigation sees the boundaries between reality and fiction becoming increasingly indistinct.
The cast features Niamh Algar, joined by Nicholas Burns, Vincent Franklin, Sophia La Porta and Michael Smiley. Adrian Schiller also appears in what would prove to be his last screen role.
Censor has fans gripped (Image: undefined)
Set during the 1985 “video nasty” furore in Britain, the production employs period-authentic techniques, shot on 35mm with segments captured on Super8 and VHS, creating a raw, genuine feel, reports the Mirror.
Audiences have warmly embraced the film, with one viewer saying: “Thrilling, captivating, terrifying – so simple in its premise, but quite complex when it comes to the actual movie and its plot development.
“Thoughtful movie that you want to rewatch again and again, cause you know you have missed a detail. In my opinion, the best horror movie of the decade yet.”
Another viewer added: “This movie has stayed with me since I saw it. It’s hard to shake the final scene.”
Censor is on Film4 tonight (Image: undefined)
One viewer expressed their admiration, saying: “I love the ambition with the feverish, frenetic style of it, and the subject matter, which endlessly fascinates me. It’s creative and brutal and cleverly rides the line of being both an arthouse flick, as well as a splatterfest,”.
Another shared their thoughts on the film’s narrative, saying: “It’s a slow spiral into madness, and is very nicely done. The pacing is decent, and considering we’re only seeing the story through her eyes sometimes it can feel disorientating, as in you don’t know what the passage of time is.
“There was a scene where she walks off into a dark tunnel and I feel that’s a metaphor for the events of the rest of the movie.”
The same person added: “She is trying to hunt down her past and save her sister, but isn’t looking where she’s going. Definitely one of the films that pulls you in and will most likely rewatch a few times.”
Another review praised Niamh Algar’s performance, writing: “Niamh Algar Is simply outstanding in Censor, a great little horror / mystery.”
The reviewer further explained: “A particularly violent and gory film, mostly from the perspective of the movies that Niamh’s character watches as part of her film censoring role, although the last third of the movie exhibits violent and gory elements outside of the lead’s censor role.”
They ends by recommending the film to horror fans, adding: “It’s not too long at 84 minutes and moves at a good pace with some interesting twists and turns to keep you wondering where the film will end up. Highly recommended for horror fans.”
Censor airs on Saturday 31 January at 12.30am on Film4.
