"There’s Something in the Barn" (2023) [Fantastic Fest]

by Joseph Perry

Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict”, both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in solo outings. For this installment, it’s Joseph with a solo review of Magnus Marten’s Christmas-themed Norwegian horror comedy There’s Something in the Barn, courtesy of Fantastic Fest.

Synopsis

An American family inherits a remote cabin in the mountains of Norway, only to find that local legends about barn elves have a ring of truth to them.

The Good

When will protagonists in horror films and horror comedies learn not to move to inherited properties sight unseen — especially when relatives had mysterious experiences there? Hopefully never, if you’re an aficionado of these types of films. Director Magnus Marten sends up this trope with a Norwegian flavor to the proceedings. Although there is not an evil Santa in sight in the Christmas-themed There’s Something in the Barn, there is a barn elf, and if people don’t follow a strict set of rules about these creatures, havoc will ensue. And ensue it does here, with a third act full of murderous mayhem that comes as rather unexpected after the film’s first hour of rather family-friendly holiday and fishes-out-of-water comedy.

The Bad

This is not necessarily bad, but There’s Something in the Barn does take some time before serving up quite the tonal shift once the third act kicks in, as the first two acts focus mostly on the family adjusting to their new living situation in Norway, which is quite different from their previous California lifestyles. Also, the cast members go all-in with their sometimes over-the-top performances in There’s Something in the Barn, which — humor being subjective — will work for some viewers and not so much for others, but credit goes to the cast members for their dedication to following Marten’s vision.

The Verdict

Although the film may not become a Christmas horror comedy classic, it is well helmed and acted, and sports impressive production values. I can certainly recommend it as a new holiday genre film to try out this winter.

There’s Something in the Barn screened as part of Fantastic Fest, which ran in Austin, TX, from September 21st–28th. For more information, visit https://2023.fantasticfest.com/welcome.

There’s Something in the Barn