X
- 2012
- R
- Cinedigm Entertainment Group
- 1 h 24 m
- 2012
- R
- Cinedigm Entertainment Group
- 1 h 24 m
Summary An agoraphobic single father teams up with a vigilante priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children. (Cinedigm Entertainment Group)
Directed By: Ciarán Foy
Written By: Ciarán Foy
- 2012
- R
- Cinedigm Entertainment Group
- 1 h 24 m
- 2012
- R
- Cinedigm Entertainment Group
- 1 h 24 m
Citadel
60
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary An agoraphobic single father teams up with a vigilante priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children. (Cinedigm Entertainment Group)
Directed By: Ciarán Foy
Written By: Ciarán Foy
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
60
43% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
57% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 Critic Reviews
60
43% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
57% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Citadel is plenty scary: a bare-bones man-against-his-worst-fears white knuckler, shot through deep, menacing shadows.
This is a basic story, simply and directly told by Irish writer-director Ciaran Foy. He doesn't try to explain too much, he doesn't depend on special effects and stays just this side of the unbelievable.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
6.6
47% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
42% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
11% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 19 User Ratings
6.6
47% Positive
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
42% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
11% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
“Citadel” delves deep into the dark and sinister realm of social collapse. As a neighborhood goes through slow rehabilitation a twisted reality unfolds. Savage and untamed youths lay siege to a tower block in the community killing anyone who crosses their path and stealing the children. The story has a sort of melancholic atmosphere which pulls at your emotions as it draws you into the story. It flows from moments of casual melodrama and intense suspensefulness that makes most of the scenes feel for intense than they really are. It creates an almost nervous anticipation for during most of the film. It is a truly dark story which expresses a lot of emotion and desperation as a movie goer watching the story unfold that is an added bonus. The revealing cause of the vicious nature of the youths terrorizing the community is truly sinister but could have been played up a little more than it is in the movie. There is a slight imbalance between the slower more emotional scenes and the intense thrill scenes. However not enough of an issue to not find this movie pleasurable. It is disturbing and kind of twisted. I really enjoyed the more vulnerable and heartfelt approach to horror this film takes.
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Great movie, Aneurin Barnard playing the role of an agoraphobic father did great! Definitely not the best actor ever but you could see the fear and accomplishment when he was simply trying to leave his house! The atmosphere is dark and has a unique touch to it! The end of the movie is pretty rough though, no suspense or anything I just stood there wondering : wait, it's over? But overall I recommend it for any fans of Psychological/Infection horror movie.
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Citadel is stripped down and no-nonsense, fixating on Tommy's emotional and psychological struggles with an intensity that's harrowing.
This spare first feature from the Irish filmmaker Ciaran Foy (drawing on his own experiences) has an atavistic pulse, evoking a decaying society where elevators fail and bus drivers cower behind mesh grills.
No longer content with simple conservatism, this horror is downright totalitarian.
A dispiriting horror cheapie whose monsters-in-the-projects premise plays out like an anti-welfare parable.
Plenty of pungent ideas and a nice line in urban terror. The final product falls short of the best in Brit horror, though.
It took me a while to get absorbed in this because I'm familiar with the area where this was filmed. Once I was into Citadel it was a bit slow but It's actually a nicely paced, moody horror that kept me interested throughout.
The acting was pretty good all round, even the baby cried on cue, lol. James Cosmo (Braveheart, Sons of Anarchy) is the only person I recognised and his role as the heavy handed, ever swearing Priest seemed almost convincing but he was good. Aneurin Barnard played the most annoying of characters Tommy who I kept hoping would get killed in a particularly nasty way. Admittedly his acting was good it was just his role that I hated. The very attractive Wunmi Mosaku played the (almost) love interest well and I really hope I see more her in future.
This was a nicely produced and well directed indie flik and all with minimum resources which is impressive. I hope Ciaran Foy, the writer/director does more features because this being his first he's done very, very well. Recommended.
Score: 6.5/10
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The opening to this film was fantastic but unfortunately it goes downhill quite quickly. The acting is pretty poor and the suspense/horror was spoiled for me by too much being revealed too soon. It's such a shame because it has a lot going for it. Very atmospheric with some bleak locations that really add to the sense of foreboding. A decent plot at it's core with a very disturbing concept and some brilliantly intense scenes. But the plot takes a dissapointing direction early on. I switched it off eventually. Would love to see more original, low budget films like this though
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Production Company
Blinder Films,
Bord Scannán na hÉireann / The Irish Film Board,
Sigma Films
Release Date Nov 9, 2012
Duration 1 h 24 m
Rating R
Tagline They see your fear
Awards
Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Toronto After Dark Film Festival
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations
