A Cure for Wellness (2016)
Film Review
By the Geezer of Oz
“An ambitious young executive is sent to retrieve his company’s CEO from an idyllic but mysterious “wellness center” at a remote location in the Swiss Alps, but soon suspects that the spa’s treatments are not what they seem.” (IMDb)
A visually effective film that looks like a throwback to the early horror films of the 1930’s and 1940’s, reminiscent of classics like Frankenstein and Phantom of the Opera.
However, the storyline and ideas brought forward in the script have all been done before, and to better effect. The delivery is somewhat melodramatic and, with a “twist” that could be seen coming from VERY early in the film, it felt like a waste of two and a half hours.
Dane Dahaan (Chronicle, Kill Your Darlings, Metallica Through the Never, Life After Beth, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), Jason Isaacs (Event Horizon, Harry Potter films series, TV’s Dig, The OA and Star Trek: Disovery) and Mia Goth (Nymphomaniac: Vol.II, Marrowbone, the upcoming Suspiria remake) do not help bring this film to any lofty heights.
Too long, too clichéd and just not interesting enough. A real shame considering the fact that I was really looking forward to this one.
Disappointing. 5/10.
