If you’re a fan of horror movies, you might have heard about Tideland. This 2005 film, directed by Terry Gilliam, is often described as a dark fairy tale that blurs the line between reality and imagination.
But is it really a scary movie? Let’s take a closer look.
The Plot
Tideland tells the story of Jeliza-Rose, a young girl who moves to the countryside with her drug-addicted parents after her grandmother dies. When her mother dies of an overdose and her father abandons her, Jeliza-Rose is left alone in a decaying house by the railroad tracks. She copes with her loneliness by retreating into her vivid imagination, where she creates elaborate fantasies and interacts with unusual characters.
The Atmosphere
One of the most striking aspects of Tideland is its atmosphere. The film is set in a desolate rural area where time seems to have stopped.
The landscape is barren and bleak, and there are no signs of civilization except for the occasional passing train. The house where Jeliza-Rose lives is decrepit and filled with debris, adding to the sense of abandonment and decay.
The soundtrack also contributes to the unsettling mood of the film. Instead of relying on traditional horror movie music cues, Tideland features an eerie score composed by Jeff Danna that combines haunting melodies with discordant sounds.
The Characters
Tideland’s characters are eccentric and often disturbing. Jeliza-Rose’s imagination conjures up strange creatures such as Glitter Gal, a disembodied head adorned with glitter and fake eyelashes, and Dickens, a mentally challenged man who lives in an abandoned school bus.
The real-life characters Jeliza-Rose encounters are not much less unsettling. Dell, a mentally handicapped man who befriends Jeliza-Rose, has a disturbing fascination with taxidermy and keeps a collection of stuffed animals in his house. Jeliza-Rose’s father, a failed rock musician, is neglectful and abusive towards his daughter.
The Horror Element
While Tideland is not a traditional horror movie, it does contain elements of horror. Some scenes are genuinely unsettling, such as when Jeliza-Rose performs a makeshift surgery on one of her dolls or when Dell tries to drown her in a bathtub. The film also deals with heavy themes such as drug addiction, mental illness, and child abuse.
However, Tideland’s horror is more psychological than physical. The film explores the inner world of a young girl who is coping with trauma and isolation by retreating into her imagination. The horror comes from the uncertainty of what is real and what is imagined.
Conclusion
So, is Tideland a scary movie? The answer depends on your definition of “scary.”
If you’re looking for jump scares and gore, Tideland might not be for you. However, if you’re interested in exploring the darker side of the human psyche through an unconventional lens, this film might be worth checking out. Just be prepared for some unsettling imagery and themes.
