by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is the most creative aspect of horror? There is so much room for themes and ideas to be presented in metaphorical means. Many great horror films channel significant and relatable themes, including It Follows, The Thing, and The Fly, to name a few. With the grotesque and unnerving nature of horror, the physical manifestations of certain things can be so horrifying on screen. It might not be Halloween time, but horror is on the rise this month of April, and Hulu is joining the party with Clock.
What is the clock that the title speaks of? It might not be a physical one, but it affects the lives of most women: that biological clock. There is a lot that can be said about female reproduction, especially in today’s environment. Clock tackles a variety of societal pressures that are levied upon a woman at child-birthing age. There are the familial ones, like a father who expects grandchildren and refuses to understand the hope of an independent life. There is the husband who deep down wants children, and will take any means necessary to see it happen (except the upfront and honest one). There are the unfortunate pressures of other women who refuse to understand that others might not feel the same as you. Writer-director Alexis Jacknow tackles all these perspectives in an effective and impactful way.
But this is a horror film, isn’t it? The themes are strong, but the horror is unfortunately only serviceable. There are a few impactful elements, but too many times the scares feel so telegraphed. Luckily, Jacknow seems to have a strong handle of tension and suspense, and she covers up some of the telegraphing with legitimate scares. There is one scene that will scare you with an impressive jump. Outside of the expected modern horror elements, Jacknow leans on two other approaches that create an unnerving experience. There is one entity that is unexpectedly horrifying, and it comes down to the character design. Then there is the way that Ella (our protagonist, played by Dianna Agron) sees the world as she navigates a horrific new treatment to help her have a child. The way the camera is manipulated makes for an unnerving viewing experience.
Themes and scares go a long way, but what are the other elements that land and miss? The biggest deliverable for the film is the leading turn by Agron. Her performance is layered and deeply committed to the spiraling psyche that Ella is left with thanks to her treatments. This is another strong leading turn by a woman in horror, and she is in great company. There are a pair of rock-solid supporting turns from Melora Hardin as the doctor behind this treatment, and the reliable Saul Rubinek, who portrays Ella’s father. Narratively though, the film loses some gas along the way. There are some twists which land to varying degrees. One of them is so obvious that it is almost eye-rolling.
But does Hulu have a worthwhile horror film on their hands? Jacknow delivers on just enough potential to make Clock a worthy addition to Hulu’s original library. The scares and narrative might fall a bit short, but the performances and themes are there, making this is an unnerving ride worth taking.
Score: 6/10
Clock will be streaming on Hulu April 28
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd