Can We Finally Accept That ‘Valentine’ is Top-Notch Holiday Horror?
Tyler Doupe'
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I can’t quite put my finger on why Valentine has such a negative reputation with critics and fans. I hold the film in high regard and very much enjoy pulling it out to watch in mid-February. Unfortunately, Valentine has long lived in the shadow of the much more celebrated My Bloody Valentine. Sure, My Bloody Valentine is a classic that deserves a slot in your February 14th viewing roster. But the same case can (and should) be made for Valentine.
Valentine is a competent, twisty, Giallo-infused slasher picture and a top-notch slice of holiday horror.
The flick follows a group of female friends as a tragic ordeal that took place at a middle school Valentine’s dance resurfaces to haunt them ten years later. A killer with an ax to grind emerges on the scene and members of the friend group begin to vanish. The ladies soon realize that the person behind the mask will not rest until he’s got his pound of flesh.
One of the reasons Valentine works so well can be attributed to the existence of an intriguing killer with a backstory that almost makes you feel sorry for him. Knowing he has been subjected to torment and ridicule humanizes the character to a certain extent. Much in the same way the flashbacks to Jason’s stay at Camp Crystal lake give that character a certain humanity.
Also See: MY BLOODY VALENTINE Blu-ray Review – More Than Just a “Miner” Upgrade
Humanity aside, the killer comes across as ominous and threatening when he’s stalking his victims (using a variety of inventive and unexpected death implements to send off victims in memorable and clever ways). The arrow death is very apropos (considering the subject matter) and the hot tub sequence represents one of my favorite kills from early 2000s horror.
Director Jamie Blanks (Urban Legend) demonstrates a keen understanding of how to build and maintain tension in Valentine. Blanks knows just when and how to pull the rug out from under his audience to keep the viewer in a constant state of unease. Effective editing, a fitting score, and a twisty narrative keep me engaged every time I revisit this seasonal slasher.
Blanks’ film also takes advantage of some great settings. The morgue sequence near the beginning of the film is masterfully realized. It sets the stage for the horrors to come and is likely to put the viewer on edge, right out of the gate.
It’s a safe bet that Banks is a fan of the Giallo. Valentine has plenty of similarities to the Giallo films of yesteryear. For instance: The killer is a member of the cast disguising their true identity. He obscures his face and wears black gloves. Moreover, the cast is full of red herrings, each of whom could potentially be the killer and seemingly has a motive of some sort. It’s great to see Blanks nodding to the Giallo, as it is very much the precursor to the modern slasher.
Related: 7 Under-Seen Giallo Films Just Waiting to be Discovered
Another endearing quality of Valentine is that it has a solid cast of characters. All the key players are interesting in one way or another. Not all of them are necessarily likable but each of the core cast members is fairly well-developed and comes with interesting nuances that keep them from coming across as two-dimensional cutouts that fulfill a predetermined role. Yes, some of the characters do fit within preexisting horror stereotypes. But each of them is, at the very least, interesting.
The film also deserves recognition for its great sense of humor. The speed dating montage is a great example of that. And that sequence should be relatable to anyone that has braved the dating scene and met all the wrong people. Additionally, Kate’s creepy neighbor serves up well-timed comic relief. He’s not in the movie much but he makes the most of the time he is onscreen.
If you have avoided Valentine because of its less-than-stellar reputation, please consider giving it a shot and making up your own mind. And to anyone that’s seen the film and didn’t connect, I hope you will consider giving it a fresh look. You may just find that it’s a fine example of holiday horror done right.
If you’re keen to give it a look, Valentine is streaming on Shudder as of the publication of this post. If you opt to check it out, don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Categorized:Editorials
