The Golem

This is the only horror film I have seen that takes place in 1673 Lithuania. An isolate Jewish community has avoided the Great Plague that started in 1666. They are suspect of having created it. Hanna (Hani Furstenberg) a complex character uses the Kabbalah to create a golem to protect the village from harm from the outsiders. This is a different version of the Frankenstein theme. As I watch Hani Furstenberg deliver half-baked lines, I kept thinking how much Jessica Chastain could have added to this film. Too many dull and lifeless characters. Even the golem was a bit dull and puny. The side story could have been written better. Guide: No swearing. Sex scene. No nudity.

source: The Golem

Metaphors, underlying emotions, subtleties, all are well represented here without a lot of Hollywood buzz moments that we're conditioned to react to. Might not be for everyone, but its heartily refreshing to see a film show the range a horror film can have.

I went in there with an open mind and I can easily say that I was pretty happy with the start with all the interesting Jewish mythology. The movie was well acted and well made too. Noting all that, I must say that there was big point that I could not ignore no matter how much I tried. That is the writing and more specifically the character of Hanna. Her character did not have even one redeemable quality. All of the scenes (including the dream sequence) that showed her mourning her son seemed to so forced and out of character for her that they wrenched me out of the movie completely. Movie made it pretty obvious from the start that she was a selfish character with huge ego. Selfish because she used birth control and lied to her husband who was nothing but kind and understanding towards her (even breaking the cultural and social norms by helping her study). Egotistical because she couldn't take the insult from the Rabbi and had to create the Golem (I know the movie tried to justify it by making the invader kill her sisters unborn child but to me it looked like she was gonna create the Golem no matter what). After Hanna sees Benjamin with Sarah she gets so angry forgetting that she had been lying and manipulating Benjamin for the last 7 years. Thus killing Sarah. Even though it was unintentional but she understood the power she had over the Golem. So when the Golem kills Perla later she still denies it and tries to shelter the Golem. The overall vibe that I was getting till that point was that she was happy about the power and recognition that the Golem brought her and when the movie tried to shove the 'mourning her son's death' down my throat I hated it very much. Watching the movie became a struggle for me because she was such an unlikable character that I couldn't empathize with on any level. I am a big horror fan and only watched the movie because of the rating that you guys gave here but I must say that this movie does not deserve more than 3 stars. Ruined my night.

Horror is a tricky genre to get right, especially since it has so many facets itself, providing a rich tapestry for its fans. The Golem seeming to wish to evoke the feeling of one of the Universal classics of old, yet failing to do so on many levels. The majority of this failure seems to lie somewhere between the writer's desk and the editor's room, as there often seems to be a lack of explanation for events. Which in turn makes it feel like they were there initially and then edited out. For example, at a mid-point in the film the female protagonist, Hanna, tells her husband that the golem likes music. Yet, we never seem to have been given any evidence of that fact. If this only happened once, it could be forgiven, but actions and sentences like this occur throughout the movie. With other unforgivable moments, including Vladimir, shooting at the golem multiple times in quick succession with his flintlock pistol. Something which caused the audience to laugh at a moment which was meant to provoke tension, causing a distraction and breaking the engagement, The film also having odd moments of extreme gore which seem slightly out of character with the rest of the movie. Which is a shame, as many other elements in the movie work well, including the main female lead, cinematography and general direction throughout (Never have plague doctors been used so meanicingly). Leaving the real failing of the film being the dialogue, which is often trite and clumsy. The Golem would probably have been improved if they had steered away from the named monster and created something completely new instead. As this would have given them more freedom to develop the situation, but what is left is confused and feels unfinished, making it one of those horror films which will be enjoyed for its failings, rather than its creepiness.

I wouldn't call it a horror but it is a nice one Its a bit of everything. But mostly drama I wouldn't spoil it but its worth to watch

Like The Witch or Hereditary, this is a simple, slow-moving film that's about atmosphere and isolation and creepiness, not horror or jump scares. The telling of the Golem tale is very accurate to the most common versions, so if you are a folklore fan you will be satisfied. And it's only 90 minutes long.

I have mixed feeling about The Golem. I was up for watching a horror movie but I don't think you could categorize this movie as such. There are some gore moments but you never get that creepy tension while watching The Golem, a kid covered in mud isn't the most frightening thing to watch. The acting was okay, nothing award winning but nothing terrible either. The story is something new so that's a good point but it's also much too slow, too many moments where you just wait for something to happen and that is, if you're a bit tired, not good.

Nothing new . Terrible movie . Bad acting , horrible in every aspect . Slow and extremely boring . Ultimate boredom . I almost fell asleep . Don't watch it . You will regret .

Actually i would rather have genred it as a mystery drama.(horror) film , just to lower the expectations from the nerdiest of the horror nerds. the film is taking place in the 1600's lithuania, were the plague are racing its razorblade through the population, and a jewish village where all the inhabitants are sound and healthy. they are accused for cursing the plague over the others and the battle is on.to defend oneself. the lead actress makes a golem to take revenge and seek protection for what has been done to them. there are slash and gore, and the golem takes the job wholeheartedly aka with hearts in his hand. the story about golem is not good enough explained in the script, and i think the film are slowpaced at some spots, and there are a few editor glitches inbetween , but overall it does the job good enough to make a grumpy old man look away from the screen at its worst slashermoments. the visual product are brilliant, also the decor and settings. and we have all got a new ''spittin image'' of Liv Ullmann in Hani Furstemberg. do watch out for her acting, it is good. this is a film i recommend very much.