Horns, 2014.
Directed by Alexandre Aja.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Heather Graham, David Morse, James Remar, Kathleen Quinlan, and Max Minghella.
SYNOPSIS:
Ig Perrish wakes up after a night of heavy drinking to find himself a suspect in his girlfriend’s murder…
Horns is a brave piece of film making which not only evades categorisation, but contains yet another bold career choice from an actor defined by them. Daniel Radcliffe has gone from gothic horror adaptation, by way of beats poet bio-pic, with a minor segue into romantic comedy before arriving here.
Adapted from Joe Hill’s novel, Horns deals with personal demons, social perceptions and the need for conformity, ultimately addressing how much we keep hidden from those we love. In many ways it could be considered the bastard child of Jason Reitman’s Men, Women and Children, which uses social media as an allegorical means of achieving the same ends.
This adaptation will leave a bad taste in the mouth of many. It is disturbing in places, narratively off balance and contains no saving graces. These characters are unpleasant individuals made more so by an inability to keep their basest desires a secret. Essentially, Horns is a crime thriller with darkly comic edges that treads a fine line between drama and tragedy throughout. Containing committed performances from bit part to lead role which are followed through without restraint, Alexandre Aja has managed to make something of genuine interest.
That Daniel Radcliffe has no need to work is common knowledge, but what is less well known and continually demonstrated is a range and work ethic which belies his age. Painting Ig Perrish as a tragic figure surrounded by a denizen of miscreants, Radcliffe creates an individual with a dubious moral compass worth its weight in celluloid. From his mother played by Kathleen Quinlan to Max Minghella as childhood friend Lee Tourneau, we have a true ensemble cast giving layered performances in the darkest of tall tales.
Every actor claims that villains are more interesting and so it proves to be, as everyone here gets to play the bad guy. Director Aja explained it in an interview by saying that Ig represented the only saintly figure amongst a sea of lost souls going to hell. As statements go that’s bold, yet seems to bear fruit especially upon a second viewing. However as much as his theory proves correct, another screening also begins throwing up a few niggles which might otherwise slip through the net.
For anyone who has read the book an immediate concern when it comes to adaptation would be structure. Horns jumps around a bit in time. Given the murder mystery premise it made sense to employ flashbacks for establishing relationships, pivotal plot points, illustrating the power of Ig’s horns and so on. However, although Alexandre Aja uses this technique sparingly it may confuse those unfamiliar with the novel, while one other niggle are the horns themselves.
In the director’s defence there is no way to logically work an explanation into this film, neither their effect on people nor the reasoning behind them. When Perrish does finally put voice to it more than a few scenes have passed that may confuse the unfamiliar. However rather than detracting from the enjoyment this merely adds. After all when you have such a pitch black premise leaving your audience guessing surely adds fuel to the fire.
Listen here is my final word on Horns. This film is no day at the beach. If anything was going to lay the ghost of Harry Potter to rest then this would be it. Radcliffe not only casts off the shackles, he eviscerates his legacy with a performance of style and substance. Ably abetted by a supporting cast which include David Morse, Juno Temple, an excellent Kathleen Quinlan and Max Minghella, we have a singular adaptation of a unique book. Its shame therefore this is destined for a limited release at best. If you miss it in cinemas be sure and track down the Blu-ray. It’s an essential artefact for the post Potter era.
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★
Martin Carr – Follow me on Twitter.
Originally published October 25, 2014. Updated November 29, 2022.
