2 Years Later, Fans Are Finally Discovering 1 of the Best Horror Sleepers of the 2020s

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Okay, so I finally checked out Samuel Bodin’s first movie, released in 2023, and honestly, it kind of flew under the radar in theaters. It only made about $10 million worldwide, which is less than its $13 million budget – ouch! Critics were pretty divided too; it’s sitting at a 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, so it didn’t quite earn that “fresh” badge. But, get this, two years later it’s suddenly become a hit! It showed up on Netflix on September 19th and has been climbing the charts ever since. It’s cool to see a movie find its audience even after a rough start.

Originally a box office disappointment in 2023, the horror film *Cobweb* is finding a new audience thanks to its recent addition to a popular streaming service, and proving it was a hidden gem all along. Starring Anthony Starr (known from *The Boys*) and Lizzy Caplan, the movie has quickly climbed into the Top 10 charts. Despite a straightforward story, *Cobweb* is surprisingly effective and has exceeded what viewers expected, making it a perfect watch for horror fans as fall arrives.

Cobweb Is a Terrifying Watch For the Fall

Fans generally like this 2023 horror movie more than critics do, and for good reason. It’s genuinely scary, but also surprisingly original. The film starts like a typical story about a bullied boy who’s disturbed by sounds at night. However, it quickly becomes clear these aren’t just his imagination – something is actually inside the walls.

The movie starts with a simple idea, but quickly becomes engaging as it reveals disturbing details about the boy’s parents – they appear normal, yet something feels deeply wrong. After a mysterious voice encourages the boy to become aggressive, the story takes a dark turn. *Cobweb* cleverly uses the audience’s knowledge to build suspense; since viewers are already aware of the unsettling truths – like the nightmare and the strange home visit from Miss Devine – the characters’ suspicions feel almost redundant. This creates tension and drives the plot forward.

I felt so bad for Peter! Miss Devine thought something was going on at home, like abuse, but it turned out he was hearing a voice *inside the walls* – someone was actually calling for help! He tried to show what was happening in a Halloween art project, and honestly, it’s easy to see how Miss Devine got the wrong idea. Peter’s mom was understandably upset to be suspected of something she didn’t do, and when Miss Devine kept pushing it, I totally understood why everyone started taking the parents’ side. It was a really frustrating situation!

Miss Devine’s gut feeling could be correct. The movie *Cobweb* cleverly manipulates how the audience sees things, keeping viewers suspicious of everyone until the very end. After Peter gets kicked out of school, his home life becomes strained, and his parents, who once seemed loving, begin to appear potentially abusive. His father, Mark, played by Anthony Starr, confines Peter to the basement, where the boy discovers a chain leading to a mysterious, deep hole.

Cobweb Is an Underrated Masterpiece

The movie *Cobweb* deliberately misdirects viewers, offering subtle clues along the way. While Mark and Carol seem suspicious, the true danger isn’t what the audience initially believes. The voice Peter hears isn’t a threat, but rather manipulates him against his parents. Miss Devine’s visits add to the unsettling atmosphere. Ultimately, the film reveals a shocking twist: Peter is working with the voice to kill his parents, and that’s where the real horror begins. The voice actually belongs to a woman who murdered a young girl years ago on Halloween, and she’s been hiding in the walls ever since.

What made *Cobweb* particularly terrifying was its masterful use of suspense. Unlike many horror films, it delayed revealing the monster’s appearance until the very end, instead relying on what viewers *couldn’t* see. The movie built tension through sounds – like scurrying feet – and the mysterious disappearance of characters, creating a truly unsettling experience. This approach, focusing on the unknown and letting the audience’s imagination run wild, proved incredibly effective. Too often, horror movies ruin the impact of their monsters by showing them too soon, sometimes even in the trailer.

The film *Cobweb* brilliantly demonstrates that what we *don’t* know is often the scariest part. By keeping the full extent of Peter’s sister’s monstrous nature a secret, the movie effectively builds and maintains suspense. The eventual reveal is truly chilling. Though she’s only shown briefly in a close-up, that single glimpse creates the most terrifying moment in the film. While we initially believe she’s simply physically deformed, the reveal shows her monstrosity goes much deeper – explaining why Mark and Carol kept her hidden but alive for so long. She’s truly fantastical, capable of climbing walls and possessing incredible speed and lethality. She’s spent years plotting her escape and carefully studying Peter, the favored child.

Cobweb Has Many Horror References

Despite his involvement in his parents’ deaths, Peter isn’t a killer like his sister. In the end, he and Miss Devine didn’t kill the young girl, but instead imprisoned her, leaving her to haunt him for the rest of his life. *Cobweb* is a relentlessly terrifying movie that keeps viewers guessing and on the edge of their seats, with a shocking reveal that amplifies the horror. The 2023 film is perfectly chilling and doesn’t have a single slow moment, making you grateful you aren’t in Peter’s situation. It’s an ideal horror movie to watch in the fall.

Both Starr and Lizzy Caplan deliver particularly strong performances. Starr masterfully portrays a father who seems genuinely caring, yet also manages to create a sense of unease and distrust in the audience. Caplan achieves a similar effect. Both actors have moments that are deeply disturbing. Starr brings a sense of unpredictability to his character, while Caplan, though clearly a loving mother, occasionally displays intense aggression and emotion, especially when interacting with Miss Devine, which unfortunately exacerbates her negative traits.

Many successful horror films build on a single, strong concept, and director Bodin’s first feature film is no exception. The movie centers around a young boy who hears a voice coming from inside his wall, and his parents behave strangely. However, it’s *how* the film explores this simple idea that makes it truly effective. Bodin himself noted that the script was already excellent when he discovered the project, describing it as “good, twisted, simple, but with such beautiful naivety,” and he felt confident he could add his own unique vision to the story.

Cobweb excels at building suspense by lingering in a state of uncertainty, making it a consistently unsettling film. The story shares similarities with Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, particularly in its depiction of a mysterious girl and the odd behavior of the parents. Director Samuel Bodin has acknowledged a wide range of influences, citing fairytales and even horror classics. He specifically mentioned Coraline, Henry Selick’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and John Carpenter’s Halloween as inspirations, which contribute to the film’s familiar yet unique feel. Overall, Cobweb is an enjoyable and spooky movie, and its blend of mystery and fairytale elements make it a standout watch, especially during the autumn season.

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2025-10-19 00:08