Movie Review: Virginia Obscura

By Brad Henderson

There are many words that can describe Virginia Obscura, but some of those words might give away the surprise. Virginia Obscura is one of the films Full Moon Streaming picked up for their new horror VOD service. It is a beautiful thing that they are doing and it even helps give chances to indie horror.

Virginia Obscura is a film I’ve been waiting to see for a long time and I recently got to feast my eyes on this weird and bizarre horror film. There are many words that come to mind trying to figure out how to explain what this film does to you and how it makes you feel but uncomfortable and unnerving are a couple that come to mind. Now don’t think that those words are used in a negative way because they are not. However, the film does make you feel like a voyeur and that you should pick up the phone and call the police. It feels like you are watching a real crime taking place. But then you put down the phone because you want to see what happens next.

I think any real horror fan can appreciate what Virginia Obscura does and how it presents itself. It has that old school flavor but also has a new blend of its own medicine that makes it different from all these films that call themselves “throwback” or “old school horror.” You can show me both of those things without telling me what you are doing. Virginia Obscura feels like it is from every era and every genre, something that you hardly ever see. It also has a killer score that haunts you throughout the film and makes your heart rumble even after it is over.

You get a full dose of the score in the lengthy opening of the film, which is probably the only complaint that I actually have about it. The movie is buried underneath an extremely long intro of odd shots accompanied by the score. It does set things up nicely, but they overdid it.

Once the characters are introduced and the story starts, it grips you tightly and is disturbing in many ways (the good kind). The mask is freaking killer. It’s one of the most intriguing things about the film and you can’t keep your eyes off of it. That is entirely the point. The person wearing it is a person of interest and you don’t want to miss anything they say.

Virginia Obscura is more or less of a slow burn so don’t think you are going to see a straight slasher film with a Giallo spin. It is more psychological and mind bending than a slice and dice flick. When a horror film relies more on the story and characters it is more unique than the run-of-the-mill shit that we see a lot of in this genre. Those films are fun and all, but it is nice when we see a different kind of horror film that succeeds at what it’s trying to do.

Do yourself a favor and watch this strange little movie. Help promote indie horror and keep it alive.

Virginia Obscura premiered on February 21 via Full Moon Streaming.