Watch Midnight Movie: The Killer Cut

Midnight Movie: The Killer Cut is a 2009 horror movie directed by Jack Messitt. The movie is a horror-thriller enhanced with slasher elements. The film revolves around a group of viewers attending a midnight movie screening of a sixties’ horror film, The Dark Beneath. However, things go awry when an insane murderer (The Possessor) from the screen becomes a physical reality to the movie-goers.

The movie is shot in a dark, dingy atmosphere that adds to the overall horror factor. It starts with the original Dark Beneath screened at a film festival in Los Angeles, which is a faux-shot Silent horror film made exclusively for Midnight Movie. After the screening, the print is taken to the Mayflower theater in the middle of desolate and wilderness Illinois. At the theater, we come across a strange assortment of characters, including the projectionist, Bridget (Rebekah Brandes), and her brother, Josh (Daniel Bonjour), the assistant manager, Shirley (Mandell Maughan), and the theater owner's son, Matt (Michael Swan).

As the screening starts and the movie rolls, The Possessor (Stan Ellsworth), the fictitious ax-wielding killer character in the movie, comes to life and begins to wreak havoc on the audience. The group of viewers is slowly killed off, one by one, in the most gruesome way possible. The killer follows them through the catacombs while they try to hide or run away.

The movie draws influences from living-dead horror films like The Exorcist and Psycho among others. The effects of The Possessor's murders are supremely gory and bloody, running the gamut from impalement to beheading, elevating the gruesomeness to a higher level. The director plays with the different angles to create tension, as well as, to make the audience jump in their seats. He uses jump-scares and false alarm tactics to induce feelings of unease among the viewers.

The characters in the Midnight Movie are a mixed bunch, with Bridget and her brother are the backbone of the story with their hidden dark history. The projectionist harbors secrets about the Mayflower, which ultimately comes to light after witnessing the nightmare. Bridget is a well-developed protagonist, and the audience can empathize with her struggles. The other characters serve as mere fodder for The Possessor’s frenzy.

The film’s budget is not a limiting factor, as the movie-makers deftly create an authentic basement cinema vibe, with old film posters tacked on the walls. The director also sets the scene of a surprisingly vast underground labyrinth, all decorated with vintage theaters’ props, adding to the eerie ambiance. The cinematography is on par with any other horror movie from the same era.

The sound effects and music note-worthy, complementing the horror genre, with the former being especially effective. The constant hum of celluloid running through the projector and the old-time movie score create a chill atmosphere. The noise of the killer's footsteps, the sound of bodies being hit by the axe, and other sound effects are heightened to create an immersive, spine-tingling experience for the viewers.

The movie blurs the lines between reality and fiction, often leading the viewer to question which is which, which is the root of the film's terror. The director explores the concept of film watching as a shared experience, where members of the audience go through an emotional arc together, all fearing for each other's safety.

The movie's theme is played with throughout the film, through Bridget's journey from being a traumatized victim to a determined fighter resolute on saving the remaining audience members from certain death. It also speaks of the power of cinema in evoking emotions in the viewer, with the killer being an imaginary figure brought into existence by the viewer's fears.

Overall, Midnight Movie: The Killer Cut is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts. The movie is well paced; it doesn't drag or overstay its welcome. With its subtle twists and turns, the movie successfully holds the audiences tune throughout. It's a movie that reminds the audience of the simplistic joy of cinema but more importantly, the perfect embodiment of late-night binge watching, with its vintage midnight movie feel.