Day 21: Barbarian - The Real Monster Isn’t What You Think.
Day 21 of our 31 Days of Fear is here, and I decided to revisit one of my favorite horror movies of the decade so far: Barbarian. Written and directed by Zach Cregger in his solo feature debut, this film dives into some heavy and uncomfortable themes. From abuse and its lasting effects to accountability and trauma. While it absolutely delivers as a horror movie, Barbarian goes deeper than cheap scares or gore. You might go in expecting a simple story about a monster hiding beneath a house, but what you actually find is something far more human, unsettling, and tragic. It’s a film that sticks with you, not just because of how well it’s shot or acted, but because it sheds light on real issues in a way that’s thought-provoking without being overwhelming.
Image Courtesy 20th Century Studios.
The story kicks off with our main character, Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell), arriving in Detroit for a job interview. Now, I’m from Trinidad and Tobago, so I can’t tell you much about the states or their cities, but the movie makes it clear that the Brightmoor area of Detroit isn’t exactly the safest place to be. Tess books an Airbnb for the night, only to find out when she gets there that the place has already been rented by someone else. That someone turns out to be Keith, played by Bill Skarsgård. Yes, Pennywise himself from It. Keith seems nice enough, polite even, but Tess’s discomfort is completely understandable.
Let’s be honest here, ladies, would you walk into an Airbnb already occupied by a man you’ve never met and decide to stay the night? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Meanwhile, we all know at least one man who would’ve shrugged, said “eh, it’s fine,” and gone straight to bed without a second thought. That’s the difference right there. Women have to be hyper-aware in situations that men don’t think twice about, and Barbarian captures that tension so well. It’s relatable, it’s frustrating, and it’s exactly what makes the setup so effective.
Image Courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
With all that being said, Keith isn’t the bad guy here. He’s actually a genuinely good guy who just ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, his curiosity gets him killed after he decides to explore the tunnels under the house.
What tunnels, you might ask? Well, when Tess returns from her interview with Catherine, who warns her about the city she’s staying in because of how rundown it’s become, she’s chased by a man yelling for her not to go inside. Looking back, we understand that he was trying to warn her, but in that moment, if you were in Tess’s shoes, you’d freak out too.
Anyway, Tess accidentally locks herself in the basement, and that’s when she discovers a hidden corridor that leads to the tunnels. It’s obvious that something terrible happened down there, and she’s completely terrified and ready to leave. When Keith returns, he helps her out of the basement, but his curiosity pulls him right back in, and that’s when things go downhill fast.
In the second half of the film, we meet AJ Gilbride (Justin Long), a Hollywood actor whose life is falling apart after being accused of assaulting his female co-star. Desperate to cover his legal fees, he travels to Detroit to sell one of his properties, which just happens to be the same Airbnb Tess booked. AJ quickly discovers the tunnels under the house and sees them as an opportunity to increase the property’s value. His selfishness and obsession with personal gain, however, put both him and Tess in danger.
Deep inside the tunnels, AJ comes face to face with The Mother, a terrifying figure born from generations of abuse. She is violent, grotesque, and relentless, a product of the horrors committed by the house’s original owner, Frank, who kidnapped and assaulted countless women. When AJ tries to save himself at Tess’s expense, The Mother kills him, showing that greed and selfishness can be just as deadly as the horrors lurking in the house. Tess, on the other hand, survives, navigating the house’s dark history and emerging as the true heroine of the story.
Barbarian is more than just a horror movie. It’s disturbing, intense, and occasionally grotesque, but it also explores fear, trauma, and survival in ways that stick with you. Tess’s journey through a dangerous city, a mysterious Airbnb, and the terrifying tunnels beneath it makes the film a tense, unforgettable ride from start to finish.