Cobweb (2023) Review – An Atmospheric Tale Trapped Between Two Styles
Cobweb: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A visually striking and well acted horror movie that suffers from a significant identity crisis. Cobweb begins as a brooding, artsy study of isolation and childhood trauma before shifting gears into a campy, full throttle monster movie. While the transition causes some tonal whiplash, the high production values and committed performances from Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan keep it engaging. The practical effects are a mixed bag and the ending relies on familiar tropes, but the thick atmosphere of the first half makes it a worthwhile watch for genre fans. It is a 3 star popcorn horror that manages to be fun despite its inconsistent narrative. Perfect for a sleepover or a dark evening in.
Details: Director: Samuel Bodin | Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Woody Norman, Cleopatra Coleman | Runtime: 1h 28m | Release Date: 21 July 2023
Best for: Viewers who enjoy atmospheric “bumps in the night” horror and fans of the lead cast looking for something a bit campier than usual.
Worth noting: Despite having major star power and high-profile producers like Roy Lee and Seth Rogen, the film received very little marketing before its release.
Where to Watch: Amazon🛒
Rating: 3/5 Stars
(Strong atmosphere, great lead acting, jarring tonal shift)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are going to be reviewing the bizarrely titled, Seth Rogen produced, horror movie Cobweb (2023).
Table of Contents
This one’s under the radar
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect going into this movie. My fiancée picked it and I had no idea it even existed. Much of that is, likely, due to the limited promotional campaign undertaken by the movie’s creators. Something that is quite surprising given the big name producer and star-laden cast. After all, with names like Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr attached, you would expect a little more noise. And that is without even mentioning the addition of production credits for Barbarian and It: Chapter One‘s producer Roy Lee.
Cobweb starts off as something of an artsy looking horror movie full of dreamy cinematography and minimal exposition. The movie follows the story of socially awkward young boy Peter (Woody Norman). Peter is bullied at school and his home life is complicated. His parents are overprotective and just a little bit strange.
At night, Peter begins to hear noises coming from the walls of his dusty old house. Alarmed, he tells his parents who dismiss his concerns as an overactive imagination. When the innocuous noises turn to voices talking to him, Peter’s life begins to take a dark turn and long hidden secrets are revealed.
A traditional horror story
Cobweb‘s almost indie like horror leanings hide what is, at its core, an old-fashioned monster horror story. The slow paced first half and strong focus on the troubled life of Peter barely give way to what is hiding underneath. You would be forgiven for thinking this is a slow paced, coming-of-age, character study more than a horror. But much like the well regarded Australian horror movie The Babadook (check out our review), Cobweb ends up surprising with the direction it goes in. Director Samuel Bodin aims to tell a traditional horror story through a slower and more considered medium.
“Director Samuel Bodin aims to tell a traditional horror story through a slower and more considered medium.”
While it works pretty well, for the most part, it’s hard not to feel that the movie is a little confused. Some of the later scenes, including the big reveal, seem desperately at odds with what comes before it. The movie’s quick shift into a faster gear produces no small amount of whiplash effect and that will throw some people off. It is enjoyable and the story is engaging. But it would be remiss of me to not point out how disparate the two sides of this coin feel.
Added to that are some very hit-or-miss special effects and a heavy lean into physical performance horror that has been done to death. When things really get going it all seems rather familiar and doesn’t quite land. Cobweb is at its best when it is a slow, brooding, tense horror that hints at sinister things lurking in the walls. It slips up when it abandons tension for outright full-throttle horror. Still, certain scenes are sure to make for great scares at a teens sleepover but horror veterans will be left yawning. Something which, again, draws attention to the two very different sides of this movie.
Well filmed and great acting
As far as the technical aspects go, Cobweb is a very nice looking movie. Long, lingering shots and clever use of lighting do a fantastic job of setting the scene. It doesn’t always hit but, for the most part, it looks great and the shadows tell a story all of their own. This feels like a high budget horror movie. That budget is supported by the inclusion of Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield) and Antony Starr (The Boys) in leading roles.
Acting is decent throughout with most actors really digging deep into the campiness of the story. Starr is clearly having a great time and Caplan hams it up perfectly when the story calls for it. Woody Norman’s performance as Peter is commendable and he does a great job relating the character’s struggles.
“Antony Starr is clearly having a great time and Lizzy Caplan hams it up perfectly when the story calls for it.”
It’s nice to see Infinity Pool‘s Cleopatra Coleman again and she also does a nice job. Pacing is fairly decent though the story does drag its feet a little in the middle.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- The Atmosphere: The cinematography and lighting create a genuinely creepy, dreamlike environment during the film’s first half.
- The Cast: Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan bring a lot of sinister energy to their roles, playing the overprotective parents with unsettling precision.
- Production Quality: The film looks fantastic and clearly benefits from its larger budget and experienced production team.
The Bad
- Tonal Whiplash: The sudden shift from psychological dread to high-speed action horror feels disconnected and rushed.
- Special Effects: Some of the CGI and physical horror elements feel dated and less effective than the tension that preceded them.
- Predictability: Once the reveal happens, the movie follows a very traditional and well-worn path that horror vets will recognise instantly.
The Ugly: The “Wall” reveal. While surprising to some, the execution leans so heavily into physical performance tropes that it loses the grounded fear the movie spent an hour building.
Should You Watch Cobweb?
Yes, if you go in with your expectations managed. It is an enjoyable, well made horror movie that provides enough scares to satisfy a casual audience. It’s not the groundbreaking character study it initially promises to be, but as a fun monster flick with great acting, it’s a solid 3 star effort.
You might also like:
- There’s Something in the Barn (2023) review – culture shock meets killer elves
- Horror in the High Desert 3: Firewatch (2024) Review – A Dry And Repetitive Sequel
- Dream Home (2010) Review – A Visceral and Stylish Satire of the Housing Market
- Life of Belle (2024) Ending Explained – What Happened to Belle?
- Dark Match (2024) review – Chris Jericho’s satanic wrestling horror
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
