Viewers brand horror movie an ultimate 'masterclass' but warn 'only watch this once'

A toe-curling horror with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score has left viewers aghast.

If you've already binge-watched your way through a horror series which recently dropped on Netflix and are one of those peculiar people who think being scared is fun, then prepare to put your stomach to the test and never want to stay in a rental home ever again:

Synopsis, cast and crew

Written and directed by Zach Cregger, the film was Cregger's directorial and solo screenwriting debut.

The film stars the likes of horror legend Bill Skarsgård - best known for the IT franchise - alongside Bird Box Barcelona star Georgina Campbell and Alvin and the Chipmunks' Alvin Long.

The film - titled Barbarian - centres around the story of Tess Marshall (Campbell) who turns up at her rental home in Detroit to find it's been double-booked. However, the man who's also booked it, named Keith Toshko (Skarsgård) is the least of Tess' worries, the rental home hiding a sinister secret.

Watch Barbarian if you dare (20th Century Studios)

Reaction

The film cost $4.5 million to make, as per Vulture, and was a whopping success at the box office, raking in a staggering $45,352,337 worldwide, as per Box Office Mojo.

Barbarian may've first premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on 22 July 2022, and was theatrically released in the United States on 9 September, 2022, but the horror is still sending shivers down viewers' spines to this day.

The movie has achieved an impressive Rotten Tomatoes tomatometer score of 93 percent, alongside a still solid audience score of 71 percent.

And it's shock factor sent viewers swiftly to social media to share their thoughts.

Barbarian first came out in 2022 (20th Century Studios)

One X user said: "Barbarian (2022) is one of those movies you can legit only watch once."

"This one of those films I never want to watch again but I want everyone I know to watch," another echoed.

A third commented: "Yes yes yessssssssssssssss... i will choose BARBARIAN over SMILE.. anyday everyday."

"It is a masterclass in subtlety. Its themes are deep and complex and open to numerous interpretations upon rewatch," a fourth wrote.

A fifth said: "Craziest plot twist ever tbh."

And, well, Sam Raimi has even spoken out in praise of the film, telling a YouTuber earlier this year at WonderCon he thought the horror was 'great' before even adding later it was 'fantastic'.

So, if you fancy frightening your socks off tonight, you can catch Barbarian on Disney+ or Amazon Prime.