Citadel (2012)

I was teetering between 6 and 7 here, and settled on the latter because this IS a genuinely scary and disturbing film. We've definitely had a shortage of that lately in this genre - so it was nice to have some moments where, even at 39 years-old, I felt a little uneasy.

"Citadel" has many strengths and a few weaknesses. I'll touch on a bit of each while trying not to give too much away from what is a basic storyline. Now, it didn't have to be basic.

I think where the film misses is diving a bit further into the villains of this frightening tale. The back-story there is a bit vague to say the least, and the rest of the story doesn't do much to clear it up.

I'm sure that the budget constraints limited the production in certain ways, BUT I think all involved deserve more kudo's than criticism. After all, the intent with these types of films is to scare, and this is as "uncomfortable" as I've been watching a film in quite some time.

Think of a darker, scarier spin on Harry Brown. "Citadel" actually borrows quite a bit from "Harry Brown".

The film is extremely brooding - never really stepping into the light for more than a few seconds. I think it's definitely a strength. The film does have it's own sense of Style.

You have the feeling during this film that you are completely alone. There is no help coming, and you'll have to fend for yourself.

The film is without question under-rated at present on IMDb. I pulled up the rating on my phone after renting it from the redbox, and due to time, I nearly put-off watching it altogether. Glad I fit it in. I've seen 62 films from 2012 so far, and this is definitely in the top 20 for now. It's one of the better entries into the horror genre over the last few years, and could have been incredible if they would have just finished the film.

The ending needed a bit more carnage and revenge to put this over-the-top into the "true-gem-of-a-sleeper" category. They were so close... literally a few heads being axed-off and an explosion away from sheer low-budget glory, and a 9 ranking. Why do I get the feeling we'll see an American version of this that spends 10 times the money but has no sense of style or scare value?

The acting is way above average for this type of thing, and it's that acting and the mood that keeps it afloat. The lead and the priest are great. There are only 4 speaking roles in the whole film! 4! Rather than nit-pick the plot and the ending(which are easy targets) - let's step back and enjoy some of the strong characteristics of this film.

You might like this if you liked:Candyman(better), Winter's Bone(better),The Road(about even or ever-so-slightly better), Eden Lake(about even or ever-so slightly better), The People Under The Stairs(even), and The Brood(even).

If you want a sleeper horror film to rent - it's usually a dangerous proposition. That's one of the many reasons why I can recommend this one. Far from perfect, but boy this little low-budget Irish entry packs quite an uneasy punch.

67/100

Fmovies: Recently, 'Hoodie' horrors have been emerging from the British horror scene, focusing on young generations, and their violent exploits. Citadel is the story of a man who helplessly watches a group of youths attack his pregnant wife.

Mostof the violence is narrated off-screen; instead the action is shown through shadows, reflections, and sounds. The shots are compiled well, a particular favourite set in the cemetery.

Citadel is not as violent and shocking as its predecessors. Through the choice of a small cast,and limited sets, it offers a narrative focused on personalising the story.I would recommend as a thoughtful look into a usually over-violent sub-genre.

Full review at the horrortrunk website.

Citadel is one of the most underrated films of the year. Atmospherically it has everything a horror movie should! Ciaran Foy brilliantly moves and pans the camera in-sighting a feeling of paranoia, which in a film detailing an agoraphobic is simply inspired.

When Tommy Cowley's life is turned upside down by a random attack on him and his pregnant wife he not only is left to raise his infant daughter alone, he is also debilitated by extreme agoraphobia. Tommy spends his time hiding out in his apartment and attending intense therapy sessions. When the same gang that attacked him before comeback and seemingly intend on kidnapping his daughter his fears are only heightened. Tommy must now conquer his fears to save himself and his newborn daughter.

The film and story line move quickly with hardly any wasted time or breath. I strongly recommend for all horror fans and fans of psychological horror, this one certainly won't disappoint!

Citadel fmovies. Ever see the video for Come To Daddy by Aphex Twin?

If you haven't, do yourself a favour and check it out. It is 10 utterly brilliant and terrifying minutes. You won't regret it.

Why mention this?

Cos the director of this steaming pile of dung has clearly seen it and decided that what works in 10 minutes can be definitely dragged out for 85. Come To Daddy works cos it's a music video. It doesn't have to observe real life logic.

This just doesn't work. No-one calls the police in this. No-one even seems to own one these new-fangled telephone machines all the young people are talking about these days.

There are good reviews for this film on this site. Ignore them. They are (strangely enough!) 1-review wonders.

This film is dreck. Avoid.

From the Irish and Scottish film boards a nice gritty horror that plays out like a great short story. Quite creepy with solid main performances from Cosmo (Braveheart and Game of Thrones) a world class actor and newcomer Barnard. This reminds me of another similarly gritty Celtic collaboration. A great Urban horror set in dangerous Scottish estates abandoned it seems by police and society where fear breeds. The agoraphobia of the main character is done well I thought and that different angle and its subsequent analogy of escaping from the hopeless forgotten edges of society added another dimension to the main character. Cosmo is great as always as the unorthodox priest and you'll not be seeing him waving about any bibles trying to dispossess anyone. The only complaint I will make is a scene which isn't really essential in which some dodgy CGI is employed. The main character might look a bit over made up in his attempt to look like a sleep deprived fear driven man, but otherwise I really enjoyed this film done on an extremely modest budget displaying just how to make a modern urban horror.

I saw this on a dvd which i own in 2013. The film is directed by novice director Ciarán Foy n the budget is low but it has a very surrealistic n spooky atmosphere which pulls you into the story. The director was successful in creating tension. Some may b disturbed as the film has a plot of a baby in jeopardy. Some scenes were disturbing and kind of twisted. Found it to b scary and chilling. The visualisation of the desolate slum-land is brilliantly created. The abandoned tower block is creepy. Tim Fleming's restless cinematography further adds to the picture's overall unsettling impact. The evil in this film is menacing and frightening. The movie is extremely brooding n claustrophobic. There is a sense of dread, paranoia, loneliness n helplessness. The film's exploration of the lead character's agoraphobia is powerful without being overpowering. The fears the lead character has are realistic. Brilliant acting from Aneurin Barnard. He looked like a person who is going thru a trauma. There is this feeling in this film that the lead character is completely alone. There is no help coming n he will have to fend for himself. Only one thing i disliked in this film was the twist in the end. Well its not predictable but i dint like it. The priest in this movie looked like Brian Cox.