One of the best Netflix horror movies I've seen - but I fall asleep watching

Irish Daily Mirror

06-05-2025

Zak Hilditch's film 1922 has garnered a whopping 92 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as a deeply affecting horror drama.
The flick, which is an adaptation of Stephen King's 2010 novella by the same title, was both penned and helmed by Hilditch and made its debut on Netflix in October 2017. Thomas Jane's portrayal as the protagonist received heaps of acclaim for his chillingly powerful act.
The cast of 1922 also includes Neal McDonough, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid, and Kaitlyn Bernard.
In the movie, Thomas Jane embodies Wilfred "Wilf" James, a modest yet staunch farmer residing in Hemingford, Nebraska, during the year 1922, alongside his spouse Arlette James and their teenage son, Henry. Confronted with Arlette's intent to sell off their land and relocate to Omaha, Wilf manipulates his son into colluding to murder his mother.
He leverages Henry's affair with Shannon Cotterie as leverage – due to Arlette's vehement objection to their relationship – and the youngster hesitantly consents to assist his dad. Wilf ultimately disposes of Arlette's remains in a deserted well, reports Surrey Live.
The aftermath is the family's – and particularly Wilf's – gradual and excruciating disintegration.
Despite plans to shoot 1922's main photography in Vancouver, the team faced a snag as they couldn't secure a farmhouse with an adjoining cornfield during harvest season, throwing a wrench in their filming schedule.
The film's team had to get creative when it came to depicting corn, opting for Chinese-made corn props, computer-generated wizardry (CG), and scenes shot in the Aussie town of Boort. They then settled on a farmhouse in Langley as a prime location before wrapping up filming back in Boort.
Critics hailed '1922' as an intense slow-burner that garnered plenty of positive buzz for its skin-crawling impact.
One critic said: "There's an unshakable menace that lingers, a tale of guilt and regret that burrows its way under the skin."
While another added: "1922 is a movie that gets under your skin. It maintains a menacing vibe from start to finish without ever relying on overused gimmicks or formulas."
Praise was also lavished on the stellar cast, with one reviewer saying: "The performances are great from top-to-bottom...this was a movie that probably should have been on the big screen."
Another reviewer praised its storytelling prowess: "1922 is an effective, chilling bit of work that boasts a revelatory lead performance and a compelling, gradual erosion of a man's psyche."
Viewer reactions were split, with some thoroughly captivated by the film, but others weren't quite as taken.
One viewer said: "I love this movie, it's so entertaining to me. The scenery is probably my favourite part and the story in general, and just the way it was filmed and the song placement and choice is just amazing."
While another viewer added: "Honestly, this movie falls short. The issues lie more with the narrative than the cinematic aspects. The pacing was so slow that I struggled to stay engaged, and it took me two days to finish, frequently dozing off. The storyline is very forgettable, and after the wife's death, the plot lost its thrill, leaving nothing memorable."
On the other hand, another audience member disagreed, saying: "This movie is great, I think the problem people have with it is that it's not for them. People use movies to escape life, this is not what this movie is. It is life, and it has no mercy. One of the best movies I've seen, amazingly done."
One enthusiastic review described the film as "a disturbing story of betrayal, love, and murder" that provides "an intense viewing from start to finish" Another viewer praised it as an "amazing psychological horror" with "perfect pacing" and a "great and accurate atmosphere".
A more in-depth review praised the film's thoughtful approach: "Each moment within this film is employed judiciously. Even during quieter scenes, the camera lingers, skilfully eliciting the very emotions coursing through the characters. Each frame possesses the potential to be a captivating photograph, exuding sheer beauty. The ensemble cast delivers an astounding performance, with Thomas Jane standing out in particular. His portrayal breathes life into Wilfred's emotions, resonating deeply within me. Undoubtedly, this ranks among my all-time favourite horror films."