The quiet tranquility of Peter's nighttime sanctuary is pierced by a peculiar, unaccountable disturbance. It gradually takes the form of an enigmatic voice, seemingly imprisoned within the very walls of his bedroom. At the outset, Peter finds himself perturbed by this newfound presence. Yet, as his parents' annoyance with him escalates, the voice transforms into an unexpected source of solace. However, it doesn't take long for Peter to comprehend that this voice, far from being the ethereal protector it first appears, often dispenses advice that is more dubious than it is helpful.
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"Cobweb," envisioned by Samuel Bodin, conjures an intriguing world abundant with uncanny happenings. Even though Philip Lozano's foreboding cinematography lends an unsettling air to this world, the film doesn't achieve its goal of sparking fear. The jump scares come across as rather lackluster, and the twists and turns are all too predictable. Although the movie successfully builds a spooky ambiance, it feels somewhat hollow. It is like a pot of water that’s forever on the cusp of boiling. Despite the viewer's patient attention, something feels amiss. The narrative ingredients never seem to blend into a satisfying cinematic dish.
All the key components of a classic horror film are in place. We meet Peter (Woody Norman), a solitary, bullied boy. Peter hears sounds that he can't explain. His Halloween celebrations are disrupted by his unnerving parents, Carol (Lizzy Caplan) and Mark (Antony Starr). In contrast, Miss Devine (Cleopatra Coleman), a compassionate teacher who shows more concern for Peter's well-being than his parents do, offers some warmth. And, of course, there's the eerie voice within the wall, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery. But despite these traditional elements and a distinct layer of supernatural creepiness (complete with spiders), the film, directed by Bodin and penned by Chris Thomas Devlin (known for the 2022 remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), falls short of forming a cohesive and fully fleshed-out horror tale.
One of the main issues with "Cobweb" is its frequent use of misdirection. There are various new plot points, but they seldom amount to anything substantial. A case in point is the subplot about a missing trick-or-treater that Carol and Mark use as an excuse to forbid Peter from partaking in Halloween festivities. Although it stirs intrigue initially, the resolution of this mystery proves to be disappointingly anticlimactic. Likewise, Peter's bullies, after tormenting him relentlessly and forcing a violent response, simply fade into the background. They resurface for a predictable and somewhat forced showdown. One particularly puzzling scene features Miss Devine noticing a large gash on Mark's arm. He dismisses it with a hasty explanation involving a remodeling accident and a loose nail. This curious exchange seems to neither advance the narrative nor enhance our understanding of the characters, adding to the film's overall disjointed feel.
The suspense maintained throughout an episode of "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" arguably surpasses that found in "Cobweb." Despite giving the film a second viewing in the hope of uncovering overlooked intricacies, the experience proved to be uneventful. Notwithstanding the spirited performances of Caplan and Starr, and Norman's portrayal of the haunted Peter. They successfully evoke sympathy, but these efforts are insufficient to breathe life into the otherwise lackluster "Cobweb." The underutilized Coleman doesn't have much chance to shine in her role. The majority of the screen time is on Peter, often seen in isolation or in his thoughts while his parents scold him. In spite of evocative cinematography and the incorporation of chilling themes reminiscent of iconic films such as "The Shining" and "Coraline," "Cobweb" falls short of expectations and is perhaps best left to fade into obscurity.
