The Forgotten Movie is a 2004 psychological thriller film that stars Julianne Moore as Telly Paretta, a grieving mother who struggles to come to terms with the loss of her son. The movie has been the subject of much debate among horror fans about whether it is truly scary or not. In this article, we will take a closer look at The Forgotten Movie and try to answer the question: Is it scary?
The Plot
The Forgotten Movie begins with Telly Paretta still coming to terms with the loss of her son, Sam, in a plane crash fourteen months earlier. She is in therapy and takes medication for her grief, but she still struggles to accept that Sam is gone. Her husband, Jim (Anthony Edwards), tries to support her but is also moving on with his life.
Things take a turn when Telly starts seeing things that suggest Sam may still be alive. She sees him in photographs and hears his voice on the phone. However, everyone around her insists that Sam never existed and that she is suffering from delusions.
Determined to prove that she is not crazy and that Sam was real, Telly teams up with Ash Correll (Dominic West), another parent who lost his daughter in the same plane crash. Together they uncover a sinister government conspiracy involving memory erasure and mind control.
The Atmosphere
One of the things that The Forgotten Movie does well is create an eerie atmosphere. From the opening shot of Telly alone in a park to the final confrontation with the government agents, there is a sense of unease throughout the film. Director Joseph Ruben uses dark lighting and claustrophobic camera angles to create tension.
There are also some genuinely creepy moments in The Forgotten Movie. For example, when Telly first sees Sam’s image on a milk carton, it’s chilling because we as viewers know he’s dead, but Telly refuses to accept it. There are also scenes where Telly is chased by mysterious figures in dark alleys or trapped in a car that seems to be driving itself.
The Performances
Julianne Moore delivers a strong performance as Telly Paretta. She portrays the character’s grief and desperation convincingly, and we empathize with her plight. Dominic West is also good as Ash Correll, providing some much-needed comic relief in a movie that can be quite intense.
The supporting cast, including Anthony Edwards and Gary Sinise, also give solid performances. However, some of the characters are underdeveloped, and their motivations are unclear.
The Verdict
So, is The Forgotten Movie scary? The answer is yes and no.
It’s not a typical horror movie with jump scares and gore, but it does create an unsettling atmosphere that will keep you on edge. If you’re looking for a movie that will make you jump out of your seat, this may not be it.
However, if you enjoy psychological thrillers that play with your mind and emotions, then The Forgotten Movie is worth a watch. It’s not perfect – some of the plot points are contrived, and the ending may leave you scratching your head – but overall it’s an engaging movie that will keep you guessing until the very end.
- Pros: Eerie atmosphere, strong performances from Julianne Moore and Dominic West.
- Cons: Some underdeveloped characters and contrived plot points.
Final Score: 7/10
Overall, The Forgotten Movie is worth watching if you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller with a supernatural twist. Just don’t expect to be scared out of your wits!