Reviews: Becoming (2020) Movie Review
- Related: [ Movie Details for Becoming ]
Subgenres: Possession, Supernatural, Survival, Hell, Mutants, Road Trip, Sci-Fi
Our take on Becoming (2020) explores its plot, scares, and horror highlights to help fans decide if it deserves a place on their watchlist.
Becoming (2020) is a psychological horror-thriller that follows Alex (Toby Kebbell) and Lisa (Penelope Mitchell), a couple embarking on a road trip to meet Alex’s family. However, Lisa soon realizes that something is seriously wrong with Alex—his personality seems to be changing, and he exhibits disturbing behavior that hints at an ancient, malevolent force controlling him. As Lisa digs deeper, she uncovers a dark secret involving a centuries-old entity that takes over hosts and erases their identities, and she must find a way to save Alex before he is lost forever.
Becoming (2020) Review – A Possession Thriller That Fails to Stand Out
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
Becoming attempts to blend supernatural horror with psychological tension, exploring themes of identity, loss of control, and the dangers of hidden evil.
- Alex’s transformation is unsettling at times, but the film fails to fully explore the horror of losing oneself to a parasitic force.
- Lisa serves as the audience’s perspective, slowly unraveling the mystery, but her character feels underwritten, making it hard to fully connect with her struggle.
- The film offers a creepy backstory about the entity, but it never fully capitalizes on its potential, leaving many unanswered questions.
The movie builds suspense well in its first act, but pacing issues and generic horror tropes prevent it from maintaining momentum.
Cinematography, Sound, and Direction
- Cinematography – Some shots effectively create a sense of unease, particularly when Alex’s behavior shifts. However, the visuals are mostly uninspired, lacking the distinctive style needed for a strong psychological horror.
- Sound Design – The eerie, atmospheric score works well in moments, but repetitive sound cues reduce its overall impact.
- Direction – Director Omar Naim (The Final Cut) brings an interesting concept but struggles with execution, resulting in a film that feels predictable rather than gripping.
Despite its premise, Becomingnever fully embraces its horror potential, settling for a muted, slow-burn approach that doesn’t pay off in the end.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Intriguing Premise – The idea of an ancient entity that slowly takes over hosts is compelling.
- Toby Kebbell’s Performance – Kebbell does a decent job portraying Alex’s transformation, balancing charm and menace.
- Some Well-Built Suspense – Certain scenes effectively create tension, especially in the early stages of Alex’s possession.
Weaknesses:
- Uneven Pacing – The film starts strong but loses tension midway, dragging in key moments.
- Lack of Scares – For a horror film, it relies too much on psychological drama without delivering genuinely frightening moments.
- Underdeveloped Mythology – The entity’s origins and motivations are never fully fleshed out, leaving the story feeling incomplete.
- Weak Character Development – Lisa, as the protagonist, lacks depth, making it hard to invest in her struggle.
Final Verdict & Score: 5/10
Becoming has an intriguing premise, but fails to deliver compelling horror or strong emotional stakes. While Toby Kebbell’s performance adds some menace, the film’s slow pacing, lack of true scares, and underdeveloped lore keep it from standing out in the possession thriller genre.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Becoming Rating Scores
- Our Score: 5/10
- Overall Score: 4.87/10
- IMDB: 4.8/10
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