REVIEW: ‘A Classic Horror Story’ Offers a Classic Setup with Some Twists

A Classic Horror Story is an Italian horror film and Netflix Original starring Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz. When five strangers share a ride-along through Italy they expect an uneventful trip. However, when a traffic accident renders them unconscious they awaken with their vehicle in the middle of a field and an ominous house nearby.

The above story setup probably sounds about as generic as a horror movie could have. But while the opening certainly creates what feels like a predictable path for the movie to follow, like many memorable movie experiences A Classic Horror Story puts some unexpected spins on what the viewer ultimately gets.

The strongest elements of this production are the lighting and music. And while you might think such a statement can’t bode well for a movie, it’s actually a testament to how good these elements are implemented throughout the story. When the terror sets into a sequence the movie leans into utilizing both of these tools to the utmost to create a feeling that moves from ominous to terrifying with a substantial amount of force. After having some recent viewing experiences where suspense films failed to fully deliver on the atmosphere they build, it was great to see A Classic Horror Story commit to what it sets out to deliver.

The kills that highlight the terror in this movie balance the need to be visually impactful, while never falling into what anyone who is a fan of the genre could call gratuitous. Camera angles during most of the violent moments bring more focus on the pain of the victims than the actual wounds being done. This lighter approach to the visuals makes it so when you do get to one of the more graphic moments it hits all the harder.

The only area where A Classic Horror Story truly failed for me was in its attempt to tack on a bit of social commentary to its narrative. While social commentary is a cornerstone of the horror genre, it needs to be implemented properly. Rather what we get here is a lackluster moment that has been so talked about and critiqued in media that it lands as a weak cliche.

The acting performances from the entire cast deliver the fear that prevails throughout the movie great. Even when the movie calms down, the cast can bring the more nuanced personalities of their characters to life well. While the more dialogue-heavy moments never blew me away, they don’t hurt the movie either.

When all is said and done, A Classic Horror Story delivers a by-the-numbers setup that eventually becomes something more. With solid performances and great lighting and sound delivering some truly gripping moments, A Classic Horror Story grabbed my full attention till its full reveal was done and the credits were ready to roll.

A Classic Horror Story is streaming now on Netflix.