Reviewed by Melissa Garza
As a horror fan, it is quite rewarding when a filmmaker gets it right. When all the cards fall into place, the viewer is given the gift of a 90 minute artistic rollercoaster of madness. The heart pounds, the pulse races and the mind explodes with ideas of how the protagonist could escape his or her sure demise. It is all this that makes me extremely happy to review the low budget masterpiece “Madison County.”
“Madison County” follows a group of college kids travelling to a small town to interview an investigative journalist who had written a tell-all book about a murderer. When they arrive in Madison County they go into a small restaurant where everyone stares at them in an almost menacingly fashion. A bit taken aback, the most vocal of the group Kyle (Ace Marrero) asks the cashier Erma (Adrienne Harrell) why everyone was staring. Erma is a seemingly sweet elderly woman who quickly pacifies the group. She tells them that the town is not accustomed to strangers.
Satisfied they ask about the writer and the murders. Erma slightly laughs and says that everything had been made up. The author moved away years ago and the book was a work of fiction. It’s apparent she knows more than she’s letting on and soon the group finds out that they made a mistake coming to Madison County – a mistake they may not live to tell about.
In the heyday of horror, there were an abundance of films that accomplished greatness. Psycho (1960), Warlock Moon (1973),
Race with The Devil (1975), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Stepford Wives (1975), and The Sentinel (1977) are just a few. These are the movies that pull the viewer in so much so that their own body reacts as if they, like the characters, are in danger. Nowadays, these types of movies are few and far between. That said, Madison County not only understands the way horror should be made, it goes to great effort to deliver the best production I’ve seen in some time.
Part of the reason, both movies from yesteryear and Madison County are such assets to the genre is because careful attention was taken when casting the actors. In the last decade, big-budget mainstream productions typically choose the looks and popularity of the cast over actual talent. Paris Hilton (House of Wax), Jessica Biel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and Eliza Dushku (Wrong Turn) are just a few of the leading ladies who could not bring the necessary unease into the films they starred in. The actresses could not convey the level of fear needed to illicit the same emotion in the audience. Though the actors and actresses in Madison County were good looking, they did not dress nor act like supermodels. They delivered their lines well making it was easy to relate to each and every character.
Another new rule that Madison County thankfully broke is the role of women. Typically, due in part to a misguided attempt at fighting sexism, empty characters which are modeled after the worst male stereotypes are the only ones offered to women in horror. I’ve spoken of it countless times before but unfortunately, it is still utilized today. I call it Tomb Raider syndrome. It’s the sad scenario where a female lead rather than react in a rational fashion or in the natural instinct of self-preservation turns into a badass superhero thus making the mediocre horror film into a tragic action movie. They turn around cars to take on the villains. They attack when they could escape. They show little fear and zero reaction to the fact that they just saw their friends get slaughtered.
This awful change in pace occurred in the 90s partially as a reaction to critics like Roger Ebert who complained horror movies were sexist because women were the primary victims. Like many of Ebert’s reservations about various horror movies, this is an idiotic assessment. Art imitates life and the bottom line is that women are victimized much more often than men. As if a study was necessary to prove this point – according to the US Department of Justice, in all reported cases of abuse, women made up 85% of victims while men only make up 15%. In the same study it states that women are between 5 and 8 more times to be assaulted than men are. This is a sad truth, but it is the truth. To try and display that men are as likely to be assaulted and murdered as women belittles the victims of abuse. More so, to imply that men need to be equally concerned about matters such as rape and assault is ridiculous.
“Madison County” thankfully did not play this stupid game either. It carefully and with intention, intelligently made strong, sophisticated women who were far from damsels in distress, but never once lost an ounce of humanity. They reacted with the level of shock and fear that one would expect in anyone in their position. They showed signs of exhaustion, sadness, hopelessness but there were still occasions where they tried to fight. They weren’t weak but were involved in an attack that was inescapable. A horror movie will not make the viewer afraid if the characters seemingly can handle what’s coming at them. It’s the lack of control the characters have and the dread that overwhelms them which radiates to the audience. “Madison County” understood this and used it to the film’s advantage.
This is the kind of production that a horror fan stands up and applauds at the end. It’s pays homage to the original “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” while standing on its own as an original frightening tale. Methodically it starts out slowly. You learn who the characters are and what role they play. Then, you are brought into a hell without an escape. Things get worse as secrets about the town are revealed. In the end, the conclusion reminds me of one of my favorite films, the original “Black Christmas” (1974). It was an absolutely fantastic movie but there were certain points which were so tense that there’s a moment of elation when it’s over. At that the point, the identity of the killer and the motive is not as important as it finally being done. It’s relief. When a movie can make you want to see the credits because you’re almost too unsettled to proceed, you know you have a winner.
On a side note, I read that this was the only movie in Screamfest that was sold out and earned itself an encore. Most certainly, it was well deserved!
Another interesting fact is that this movie only had a $70,000 budget. That is amazing! There are movies that are allotted 1000 times that amount and aren’t even able to make something watchable (i.e. The Haunting [1999]). This is another testimony that money doesn’t make the movie. A good story, a great cast, and a filmmaker that understands the art of the industry is all that one needs.
Lastly, this is one of the few movies I would suggest watching in a group setting or at the very least with one other person. Everything from the camera angles, filming choice, dialogue, creepy characters, and chase scenes is enough to keep you awake at night.
Though not on Netflix Instant Watch, you can always puchase it on Amazon. It is certainly worth the $19.79 it is currently advertised as.
Scared Stiff Rating 9/10
I love to thank everyone who takes the time to watch and review our film. The reviews are always a mixed bag, but that never scares me away from showing my appreciation for the time someone has donated…something we can never repay. It is great to come across a review like this that is not only complimentary (because we behind the film are extremely proud of what we accomplished to let any negative thoughts bother us), but extremely well thought and understanding of what we set out to do. Thank you for sharing this with your readers!
Ace Marrero
Thanks so much for reading the review. I was so excited after watching it, I had to write about it. Thus the few typos. It was an amazing film and I do hope there will be a sequel. – Missy Garza
We were equally excited, if not more, to read it! ESPECIALLY, you mentioning the strength of women!
Thanks so much! It was so clear in the production the respect for the female characters and their drive throughout. I was fascinated and frightened from scene 1 and have recommended this to everyone to watch.
So glad to hear that. I actually went to a Women’s college, so I’m going to forward along your thoughts to them 😉
Thank you! I greatly appreciate that. If you hear any feedback please let me know! 🙂
All the best,
Missy