Reviews: Behind You (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror
Subgenres: Demons, Mystery, Possession, Psychological, Supernatural, Cursed, Dysfunctional Family, Religion, Satanic, Teens
Exploring Behind You (2020) through our review, we cover its story, scares, and how it fits into the broader horror genre landscape.
Behind You (2020) is a supernatural horror film that follows two young sisters, Olivia (Addy Miller) and Claire (Elizabeth Birkner), who are sent to live with their estranged aunt Beth (Jan Broberg) after their mother’s untimely death. Soon after arriving, they discover that all the mirrors in the house are covered or hidden, and for good reason—an evil entity lurks within them. As the sisters uncover the house’s dark past, they unwittingly unleash a demonic force that threatens to consume them.
Behind You (2020) Review – A Generic Supernatural Horror That Fails to Scare
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
At its core, Behind You follows the classic haunted house formula but lacks the originality or depth to make it stand out.
- Predictable Storyline – The film relies too heavily on horror clichés, such as forbidden objects, a mysterious past, and characters making poor decisions that lead to their downfall.
- Underdeveloped Characters – Olivia and Claire have a basic sibling dynamic, but the film fails to explore their personalities beyond the typical "protective older sister" and "curious younger sibling" roles.
- Aunt Beth’s Character – While Jan Broberg does her best with the material, Beth’s character isn’t given enough emotional depth, making her actions inconsistent and uninspired.
Instead of building a unique horror experience, the film rehashes tired tropes with little to no innovation.
Cinematography, Sound, and Direction
- Cinematography – The film’s visuals are competent, utilizing dim lighting and shadow play to create a creepy atmosphere, but nothing feels memorable or unique.
- Sound Design – Standard jump scare cues and eerie whispers are overused, relying on cheap scares instead of building genuine tension.
- Direction – Directors Andrew Mecham and Matthew Whedon show glimpses of potential, but the film lacks a strong identity, making it blend in with dozens of other low-budget supernatural horror films.
While Behind You attempts to establish a haunting and mysterious atmosphere, its uninspired execution prevents it from being engaging.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Decent Cinematography – The dark, shadowy settings provide a few eerie moments.
- Addy Miller’s Performance – The Walking Dead alum gives a solid performance, though the script doesn’t give her much to work with.
- A Few Creepy Scenes – There are one or two unsettling moments, particularly involving the mirrors, but they’re too few to make a lasting impression.
Weaknesses:
- Unoriginal Story – The film recycles supernatural horror tropes without adding anything new.
- Cheap Jump Scares – Rather than building suspense, the film relies on loud noises and sudden cuts, making the horror feel shallow.
- Underdeveloped Characters – The sisters and their aunt lack depth, making it difficult to connect with them emotionally.
- Predictable Twists – The big reveals can be guessed early on, which reduces the tension and sense of mystery.
Final Verdict & Score: 4/10
Behind You is yet another forgettable supernatural horror film that follows the formula without bringing anything new to the table. While it has a few creepy visuals and a decent lead performance, its overreliance on clichés, lack of originality, and weak character development make it a frustrating watch for horror fans looking for something fresh.
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.
- Behind You Rating Scores
- Our Score: 4/10
- Overall Score: 3.26/10
- IMDB: 4.2/10
- MetaCritic: 3.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0.6/10
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