The 2010 horror / thriller F, is the story of Robert Anderson (David Schofield) a school teacher who finds himself forced to take an extended leave after he is attacked by a student who he provoked by poking fun of him for obtaining an “F” on a piece of school work. Eleven months later Mr. Anderson finds himself returning to teaching but his life is now in shambles, his family has fallen apart and his colleagues all think he is not more than a crazy alcoholic. But soon Mr. Anderson will find himself and many other staff members fighting for their lives as the school is attacked by a gang of hoodie wearing assailants.
If you consider yourself a fan of the work of legendary horror director Dario Argento there is no reason that you should not run out and obtain a copy of F directed by Johannes Roberts. This movie feels so much like a Argento film it is absolutely uncanny to his style. F is an test to see how well you are able to handle your nerves during a film that puts them to the test around every corner and in every way imaginable from extraordinarily creepy use of light and shadows to the way the film always keeps you in a constant state of high tension it is a must see for all horror fans looking for that next hidden gem that fell through the cracks.
Even further giving F that Argento signature feel is a soundtrack by Neil Stemp that rivals the awesomeness of any Goblin soundtrack. After the credits rolled the first thing I did was research who was behind the soundtrack thinking it really was a brand new Goblin score. The music in this film is some of the best I have heard in at least a decade and adds to the tension to a point I found myself unable to even consider blinking in fear of missing any subtle movement in the background warning of something terrible about to happen.
The way the assailants move reminded me of parkour videos I have seen various places online, and their simple yet effective disguise of hoodies with some sort of black screen in front of their faces so when you look into the open area of the hood all you see is blackness, a very effective way to make them come off as both terrifyingly menacing and also very creepy and mysterious, you start to ask yourself are they humans or something far worse?
While there is not a ton of gore when it is displayed its top notch and realistic, there were a few make up jobs in this film that really impressed me and made me have to rewind and pause to take a closer look at some breath taking spectacular effects.
The director, actors, soundtrack composer, and special effects team behind F , really displayed their best work and it shows in the final product. If I would of seen this film earlier it would of made it onto my best of 2010 list easily, if you have not seen this movie I highly recommend you go find a copy of it, this has what it takes to be a true horror classic. By using a real life fear that occurs more and more it seems in our socity like school violence F creates a intense viewing experience that you will not soon forget.
On behalf of The Liberal Dead I give F a deserving 9 out of 10 and award for best original score I have heard in a very long time.
(9/10)