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The Abandoned
User Score
5.5 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12

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  1. BrandonW.
    Feb 21, 2007
    8
    I saw this dark Spanish horror a few months ago at Horrorfest. It was by far the best of the 8 films shown. It succeeds at building such a pervasive atmosphere of dread that by the end my friends and I all found ourselves completely terrified by even the most trivial of it's twists and turns. The atmosphere is much more effective given that it is not created by means of computers or special effects. Rather the film relies on the classic horror techniques of cinematography, set design, and sound effects to provide genuine creepiness rather than gore and cheap scares. I recommend this to real horror fans who think that Saw III was lame.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Enrique
    Feb 23, 2007
    8
    A unique, sophisticated thriller. A really scary one. Good cinematography.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MichaelL.
    Sep 14, 2007
    7
    Not perfect, but far from the worst horror flick I've seen lately. Nice, atmospheric camerawork, decent acting, a good plot twist, and the unique Russian setting ultimately make this a watchable movie. Definitley got under my skin, and provided a few good scares to boot.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. MartyO.
    Feb 24, 2007
    1
    This movie is way, way overrated. It tries to be creepy and weird, but it's just boring to death and you stop to care about anything after a while, that's all I have to say.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. JustinB.
    Feb 24, 2007
    0
    I give it a zero because it's just that awful, the best word to describe this film is appalling. I don't even understand why this film was created, I also don't understand how a person could like this. [***SPOILER***]They would have to be into the sort of movie that goes nowhere, by the end of the movie you sort of wish you were the one that drowned.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. Maurice
    Feb 26, 2007
    9
    It scared the pop corn out of my mouth!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. Sam
    Mar 19, 2007
    6
    The original story and scares save this movie from the horror droll that's been in the theaters as of late, but the confusing and complicated ending left this viewer unsatisfied.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. James
    Feb 24, 2007
    5
    If this was the "audience pick" for Horrorfest, I can only imagine how horrible the others were. The Abandoned begins with an interesting plot which reminded me of the old Ray Bradbury presents show, but falls off from there. The jarring and thematic cinematography (and sound) does not save this film's extremely slow pace and unsatisfying ending. It felt as if key plot points and backstory were left out. Directing horror is a tricky business. An important element is left out of most (if not all) horror films and that is character building. What makes and audience sit on the edge of their seats or keep hands firmly covering their eyes is not wanting to see characters in the movie they care about get off-ed by a monster or machete weilding maniac. By the end of this film's experience I wanted the underdeveloped characters killed off so I could leave and and grumble over the $9.50 I just wasted. Horrorfest was billed as " movies too scary and/or gory to be released to normal audiences" but this was niether. What could have been a taut psychological thriller ends up being late night B-film fodder for the Sci-fi channel.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. BobH.
    Feb 25, 2007
    9
    Very good movie to any one who likes horror movies.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. moviegrabbag
    Jun 12, 2011
    6
    In Russia cars drive you! This isn't the best horror movie ever made but it isn't a horrible movie. It's kind of confusing which is actually kind of a good thing. The movie keeps you guessing and wondering what in the hell is going on. There are some scenes that could probably have been cut out of the movie and it would have been just fine and the acting could have been better but overall it is a decent movie and if you can see it for free or for a low price its probably worth checking out.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
42 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 4 out of 8
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    75
    By the film's downbeat climax, Cerda's dread of death and uncertainty about digging too deeply into what's better left buried have become palpable, and The Abandoned lingers beneath the skin as any decent horror movie should.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Dennis Harvey
    70
    Minimally plotted but beautifully atmospheric nightmare.
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  3. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jim Ridley
    30
    Cerda's striking creep-show atmospherics, desaturated palette and off-kilter editing rhythms are a style in search of a movie: The muddled "Twilight Zone" payoff here is hardly enough to justify a sluggish two-character round-robin of "Don't look in the basement!" The last thing a filmmaker named Nacho needs is more cheese.
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