MovieChat Forums > High-Rise (2016) Discussion > Why all the hate? Really. Why all the ha...

Why all the hate? Really. Why all the hate?

posted 8 years ago by Biffenstein
4 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this the other day, then went online to check reviews and reactions (something I try to avoid prior to watching films).

I must admit I am stupefied at the pure hatred this film seems to provoke in many viewers. I mean ... I quite get that it may not be everyone's cup of tea (I thought it was almost-brilliant, myself) but some of the comments here are just ... vicious. Why? Of course it is nothing new that many people get upset, confused and angry when confronted with something they don't understand or is outside of their comfort zone ... but judging by the reactions here, this film apparently pushes buttons in some people that I find completely mystifying.

So ... what is it about this film that provokes not just dislike or indifference, but actual hate?

Is is a very unique pleasure to come across films like "A Field In England" and "High-Rise" : works made by a director obviously in careful and complete control of his craft. Nothing about this film was haphazard or random - the craftmanship (acting, cinematography, music, sound design, set design etc.) was impeccable and obviously carefully thought out. My hat off to Ben Wheatley. Really looking forward to seeing where he goes next. May he never become a commercialized hack-for-hire. Now that Cronenberg, Lynch and many of their contemporaries are slowing their output, cinema needs more unique voices like this.

[–] Bardilfula 8 years ago

it seems like with the dumbing down of society, so is our entertainment. unfortunately, people forgot not all art is beautiful. i am actually squirming with pleasure that this movie got such mixed reviews. it did just what it meant to. i read the book before the movie, and ive got to say they really toned the movie down! loved the book, loved the movie. i was blown away at Luke Evans' Richard Wilder. the whole movie start to finish was was evocative, ugly and artful. we have been being spoon fed simple cliche straight edge story big budget substanceless morally cheap entertainment that has only one thing in mind; money, so its no surprise the masses might sneer at something that challenges their brains a little. this is no way shape or form a "casual movie watcher" movie. sit the *beep* down, put your thinking cap on and experience the trip! i loved it.

֍ Do you think you are alive because you can fight? ֍

[–] little_wing 8 years ago

I agree with your comments, Biffenstein. High Rise reminded me of how I felt after seeing The Man Who Fell to Earth and A Clockwork Orange. Like those other two films I almost had to think about whether I liked it or not at first. Then I realized I really liked liked them. They became favorites I revisit now and then. I wish there were more producers brave enough to make this type of film. I'm sure there are directors who would take the chance. Kudo's to Tom Hiddleston for not being afraid to make a film that was obviously going to polarize both viewers and critics.

Reaction time is a factor in this, so please pay attention.

[–] finnski 8 years ago

Lord save us from the safe pedestrian cuddly jumper movies that are the norm today.. we have homogenised movies to the point of dulling all their edges and I for one think we are all the poorer for it.. if a film is going to hurt me, haunt me, screw with me, challenge me, than I wanna see it! I'd rather take a risk on a film that I might love or hate than watch twenty films I can digest and forget before I've even left the cinema..

[–] TandyMan (11096) a year ago

I hated it because it was marketed as a horror film. It wasn't till 90 minutes into it that I was like oh...... this is historical and political metaphors and allegories wrapped up in a British arthouse film. Sheesh. I enjoyed it a lot more after I figured that out. That said, while wonderfully made and a really powerhouse performance from Luke Evans, the film didn't make much of an impact on me. I guess the film was ultimately about the kind of person you have to be to succeed and thrive in this modern civilization of ours? It was fine. It's nothing i'm likely to revisit.