Halloween Week: Some Kind Of Hate
I want to put this out there first; I was really excited for this film and I have no idea why. Maybe because we haven't had a good slasher or supernatural romp (or combination as is the case) in a while, perhaps it was the aesthetics of the movie that lulled me in, and I had a few people remark on how good it was. With all this in mind, I was enthralled by each new trailer and tidbit that came into my lap - especially after its Frightfest premiere and that continuation to promote it and that's very rare for a horror film. Sadly, Some Kind of Hate is so absurdly terrible that I left with an uneasy feeling in my stomach, personally offended that I had placed my faith in a shoddy film.
So, naturally, I had to share my thoughts.
Some Kind of Hate revolves around lead character Lincoln who is an outcast at his school, bullied and belittled by everyone around him, including his alcoholic father. When he strikes out against bully by stabbing him in the goddamn eye, Jonas is sent to a camp called Mind’s Eye which looks to tackle young adult issues. However, the camp has an unnerving past - a death of a student has plagued the place for years, especially as the councillors seem involved in it. When Lincoln gets there, he doesn't get off to the flying start as some mean boys start to treat him like crap and he can't seem to get a break. His anger and hurt awakens Moira, the young dead girl out for revenge of her own suspicious circumstances... And soon, bodies start to mount.
This is a poor attempt at modern supernatural slasher. The acting is strained as is the equally dire script that picks all different elements from prior films and somehow creates a shitshow of a film. I'd like to not blame the performers for this tiresome awkward movie because, usually, talented thespians are squandered by merciless script writing and poor direction. Other times, these elements are equally problematic and the acting takes the brunt of the complaints. Some Kind of Hate is exactly this film. As it rushes through the story without ever fleshing out the background without use of wailing monologues and nonsensical narrative, the collection of new performers strain with the film. Not truly wanting to single someone out but Sierra McCormick as Moira is the worst offender. Simpering, crying, and utterly reliant on McCormick gives a horrible performance that isn't once threatening. Made up with shoddy face paints (honestly, there are ASDA Halloween adverts with better make-up,) Moira is a naff ghost whose unwarranted obsession with Jonas is embarrassing, making your toes curl and your stomach cringe.
What is most frustrating about Some Kind of Hate is the unneeded exploitation of self-harm. The tragic real life circumstances that has an inflicted many people from teenagers to adults is woefully mistreated here as some sort of murder weapon. Though there is somewhat of a build up to a sensitive portrayal, it is squandered as Moira takes razor to skin and her victims follow suit. It’s irritating, angering to an extent, because it never tackles Moira’s reasons for wanting to kill herself or gives any fleshed out personality in order to understand the very real and very horrifying world of self-harm. It’s disappointing, sloppy, and, in many ways, offensive.
It's gory and there are some great artistic images are the only decent thing about this movie that does nothing but extrapolate a lot of red stuff and unnerving scars. What the performers can keep in mind is that Oscar winners Renee Zellwegger and Matthew McConaughey node stared in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel and were equally terrible (I'm worried that it's the second time I've used that example but, really, the lesson of not worry about the crap films you are in should be explored at drama school.) So their career isn't as dead or shambolic as this film is and, hopefully, they can earnest try again and rise from the slab better than this.