Directed by Corin Hardy and written by Owen Egerton, a misfit group of unwitting high school students stumble upon a cursed object, an ancient Aztec Death Whistle. They discover that blowing the whistle and the terrifying sound it emits will summon their future deaths to hunt them down. Starring: Dafne Keen, Sophie Nélisse, Sky Yang, Jhaleil Swaby, Alissa Skovbye, Percy Hynes White, Mika Amonsen, Michelle Fairley, Stephen Kalyn and Nick Frost.
It seems that with Whistle there are two camps, and the louder of the two seems to be the complaint that it reminds too strongly of other horror flicks. Then there’s the other, who appreciate that this is an extremely common factor in the genre, and that it’s actually quite a fun experience to have a new film which reminds you of things you loved about others.
So, your enjoyment of Whistle is likely to rely upon whichever camp you find yourself in. Finding truly original horror is an unquestionable delight but that is not the expectation for every single feature, and it would be highly unrealistic and inherently disappointing to set the bar that high. So, do yourself a favour and go into Corin Hardy’s latest offering with your expectations set for simply a good time, and you will be rewarded.
Hardy undoubtedly pays homage to a lot of familiar horror with Whistle and entertainingly so. Being haunted by your future death is a fun concept, Final Destination was not the first to use it, and it will go on for much longer after that franchise has had its day, if it ever does end. Yes, it’s relatively simple and the plot does not require much detail but that leaves the focus instead on the kills and violence. Something that Hardy is particularly good at with this film, even those who don’t enjoy its familiarities, will at least acknowledge that it has some creative, cruel, highly entertaining death sequences.
Granted, you can sit and ask endless questions about why would they put something in their mouths that not only do they not know where it’s been but is also ancient and creepy looking? But suspending your disbelief has always been a key to enjoying horror. If you can’t sit back and enjoy a horror film without constantly asking questions like, why didn’t they just run out the front door? Why would they split up? Why would they go in the basement? How are they even still alive? Then it’s possible the genre isn’t really for you, unless you do genuinely just enjoy screaming at the screen and watching sarcastically, which is entirely fair and another beloved tradition of horror.
So, what it really comes down to is that Hardy crafts a solid visual, with the help of cinematographer Björn Charpentier, it’s nicely dark and has a hint of the 1990s which was a terrific choice. The level of violence is excellent, Dafne Keen and Sophie Nélisse are adorable and there’s a great supporting cast behind them, although it’s a shame not to see more of Michelle Fairley and Nick Frost. Yes, it is fairly cheesy at times, and Percy Hynes White and his unironically yet contradictorily religious character feels forced and annoying, but it’s fun, it’s bloody and it’s a perfect choice for an easy, evening bit of entertainment.
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