PopHorror Let's Get Scared
There are a great many hungers that motivate people in this world: money, power, fame and fortune, popularity, attention, love, food… the list could stretch on for miles. A loving relationship, a less soul-sucking job… we all have passions that drive us. What insatiable appetite are you pursuing? That burning question is what lies at the heart of the British horror film Habit (2017), a film all about fulfilling those deepest desires.
That’s where we find Michael (Elliot James Langridge: Northern Soul 2014), your average, down-and-out bloke just looking to find a job and get by, but yearning deep down to truly feel alive. On one of his trips to the employment agency, he has a chance encounter with a spirited young lady named Lee (Jessica Barden: The End of the F***ing World TV series). With the help of the mysterious Lee, Michael lands himself a job, working for her Uncle Ian (William Ash: Hush 2008) as the new doorman at the Cloud Nine Massage Parlour.
At first, things seem pretty groovy at his new job, but the more he gets to know his new “family,” the deeper and deeper he gets drug into a dark world he’s never before experienced, but finds himself irresistibly drawn to. When his curiosity gets the best of him, he discovers the deepest, darkest secret of all – what really goes on in the downstairs room of Cloud Nine, a secret that will irreparably change his life forever.
Derived from Steven McGeagh’s eponymous cult novel and adapted for the screen quite capably by Director Simeon Halligan (The Blood Lands 2014), Habit proved to be an intriguing film. The first act definitely got off to a slow start, almost painfully slow. The pace and pulse definitely pick up a bit as the film continues. Unfortunately, it struggles to keep the pedal on the gas when it should. The writing and performances are largely lackluster, and these characters are neither relatable, or honestly very likable, which makes getting behind or caring for them when bad things happen nearly impossible. I won’t spoil the big twist that hits halfway through.
On the plus side, the visuals are quite breathtaking, with beautiful cinematography in a very colorful, neon-drenched neo-noir style. The gore is good and quite plentiful once things get rolling. I just wish the story and characters were more captivating to go along with the arresting eye-candy.
Final Thoughts
Habit has a lot of great ideas that, unfortunately, just never pan out. The style definitely outweighs the substance, so horror fans starved for a little meat to sink their teeth into might be a bit disappointed. It’s by no means terrible, I’ve just seen much better and more satisfying films in this particular genre. I came in hungry, and I came away unfulfilled. Definitely worth the watch, but I probably won’t be making repeat viewings a habit.
