Watch horror Movies for free with Amazon Prime

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To

2020
8
Director: 
Jonathan Cuartas

SYNOPSIS: 

The film tells the story of Dwight and Jessie, two siblings who take care of their younger brother, Thomas, who suffers from a mysterious disease that forces him to feed on human blood to survive.

REVIEW: 

Unlike typical vampire films, My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To focuses more on family drama than conventional fear. The tone is melancholic, with a slow and suffocating narration that immerses the viewer in the anguish of the protagonists. The most disturbing aspect is not the violence itself, but the emotional toll that sacrifice and morality impose on the brothers.

Jonathan Cuartas builds a claustrophobic and desolate world, emphasizing the loneliness of the characters through dark photography and a clever use of silence. The setting - an anonymous and decadent suburb - amplifies the sense of isolation and desperation, making the film even more disturbing.

The performances are extraordinary: Patrick Fugit conveys with his looks and gestures the frustration of a man trapped in a cycle of suffering, while Ingrid Sophie Schram embodies the more pragmatic and authoritarian side of the family. Owen Campbell, as Thomas, is fragile and disturbing at the same time, making his condition even more heartbreaking.

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To is a minimalist horror that strikes more for its human tragedy than for the blood shed. It is a slow film, but extremely effective in recounting pain and sacrifice, transforming the myth of the vampire into an allegory of addiction and toxic family love. Recommended for those who love introspective and thoughtful horror, closer to "Let the Right One In" than to classic genre films.

SIMILAR MOVIES REVIEWS

OTHER MOVIES REVIEWS

Ghost Stories

2018

Ghost Stories is a British psychological horror film adapted from their play of the same name. The film stands out for its disturbing atmosphere, layered narrative and a surprising ending that overturns the viewer's expectations. Dyson and Nyman build a horror that relies more on psychological tension than gratuitous jump scares. The use of lighting, sound and distressing shots contribute to creating a sense of growing unease. Each story has its own visual identity and a different narrative style, reflecting the personal fears of the protagonists. Andy Nyman offers... Read More

The Hunger

1983

Based on the novel of the same name by Whitley Strieber, the film is a sensual and decadent reinterpretation of the vampire myth, characterized by a refined aesthetic and a disturbing atmosphere. The film is a hypnotic visual experience, with an aesthetic style that mixes gothic with 80s glamour. The use of soft lighting, luxurious settings and an evocative soundtrack (including Bela Lugosi’s Dead by Bauhaus) help to create a sense of alienation and mystery. Tony Scott, in his directorial debut, favours the visual and atmospheric side over traditional storytelling,... Read More

The Abominable Dr. Phibes

1971

The Abominable Dr. Phibes, directed by Robert Fuest, is a jewel of British horror cinema that combines gothic, grotesque and black humor in a fascinating and macabre mix. Played by a charismatic Vincent Price, the film tells the story of the eccentric and brilliant Dr. Anton Phibes' revenge against the doctors he believes are responsible for his wife's death. The plot develops as a series of murders inspired by the plagues of Egypt, an idea as ingenious as it is disturbing, which gives life to visually surprising sequences. The baroque aesthetic, with rich sets and... Read More

Deep red

1975

Dario Argento, with Deep Red, creates one of the cornerstones of the Italian giallo, a film that mixes thriller and horror with a visual and narrative mastery that is still unmatched today. It was March 7, 1975 when it arrived for the first time in Italian cinemas, the film consolidated the director's success and laid the foundations for his unmistakable style, made of saturated colors, bold shots and a tension that grows until the final explosion. One of the most iconic aspects of the film is undoubtedly the soundtrack by Goblin, a mix of progressive rock and electronic... Read More

Prince of Darkness

1987

John Carpenter is a master at transforming primal fears into unforgettable cinematic experiences, Prince of Darkness is one of his most disturbing and underrated films. With a mix of metaphysical horror, science fiction and paranoia, the director drags us into a nightmare that defies logic and faith, playing with the concept of absolute evil and the fragility of human perception. Carpenter creates a claustrophobic and unhealthy atmosphere, in which the tension grows inexorably. The masterful use of shots and the soundtrack – composed by Carpenter himself – contribute to... Read More