Twixt

Twixt is a haunting and captivating American horror film that combines elements of thriller, mystery and fantasy genres. Released in 2011 and directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, the movie features stars such as Val Kilmer, Elle Fanning, and Bruce Dern.

Val Kilmer plays the central character called Hall Baltimore, a third-rate writer of gothic novels, who is going through a personal and professional crisis. With his glory days behind him, Hall is now a washed-up, alcoholic writer trying to make ends meet with a series of mediocre novels and an unsuccessful book tour. He finds himself in the small town of Swan Valley, intending to sign books at a local hardware store, only to find a town overshadowed by a mysterious series of murders.

Bruce Dern plays the quirky and perhaps slightly unhinged Sheriff Bobby LaGrange, who has a strange infatuation with Baltimore’s works. Sheriff LaGrange is convinced that the recent murders in town are the actions of a serial killer and sees the series of events as an opportunity for a collaboration with Baltimore on a new book project. He presents Hall Baltimore with an unsolved local murder mystery that he believes might serve as captivating material for the author's next big hit.

Elle Fanning's character, named V, is a young, ethereal girl who becomes Baltimore’s muse and fuel for his increasing fantasies and nightmares. The narrative becomes stranger when Hall begins to experience unusual, mystifying dreams about V. In them, he becomes progressively engrossed in the dark history of the town, a former massacre site involving an eccentric group of religious zealots.

The line between fantasy and reality become completely blurred when Baltimore begins to have conversations with Edgar Allan Poe, portrayed by Ben Chaplin, in his dreams, hinting at several parallels between his life and that of the great horror writer. Poe provides counsel to Baltimore, guiding him to uncover the dark secrets of Swan Valley and inspiring him to persevere through his writing slump.

Twixt delivers a sense of gothic horror intermingled with surreal instances, enhancing the cinematic experience and drawing the audience into the story. The use of traditional elements of suspense combined with modern horror aesthetics truly makes this movie stand out. The movie is framed with a gloomy and absorbing cinematography that mirrors the plot’s disconcerting mood and intensifies the sense of impending doom.

Francis Ford Coppola proves again his excellence as an iconic and daring filmmaker with Twixt, using non-linear storylines entwined with dream sequences to break free from traditional narrative methods. He leaves his audience in suspense, demanding their commitment to understanding the subtle foreshadowing, clues, and eerie coincidences strewn throughout the plot.

Despite the script initially receiving mixed reviews, the performances cannot be faulted, with Val Kilmer delivering an engulfing portrayal of a fallen star teetering on the brink. While the narrative can seem somewhat fragmented at times, it arguably adds to the disoriented and ghostly setting of the movie. A significant portion of the plot unfolds in a dream-like state where the line between reality and fantasy becomes clouded. This recurring theme forms the bedrock upon which the mystery and eeriness of the film stand.

Twixt is not just a simple haunting tale; it's a cinematic exploration into the worlds of gothic fiction and reality. Channeling elements of psychological horror and drawing influences from American literature, this reflection on the makings of a horror tale, the decline into personal despair and the desperation of a writer are beautifully woven together as a dark, atmospheric narrative.

If you’re a fan of the supernatural crime genre or a fan of Kilmer, Dern or Fanning, you'll want to give Twixt a look. Beyond that, the film's interesting narrative techniques elevate it from a standard horror movie to a thought-provoking artistic endeavor. Although the execution might not be to everyone's taste, its unique blend of gothic horror, American literature references, and dreamlike sequences makes it an unforgettable cinematic journey.