Never Quite Experienced Before: The Monsters In Nicolas Cages Horror Movie Arcadian With 78% RT Score Leaves VFX Artists Mixed

Following Nicolas Cage’s dip into the horror genre this year, director Benjamin Brewer’s post-apocalyptic movie Arcadian receives mixed reviews from VFX artists regarding its creatures. Set against the backdrop of a ravaged world, the movie stars Nicolas Cage as a father trying to protect his teenage sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), from sinister entities that prowl their farmstead at night. Released on April 12, Arcadian received generally favorable reviews from critics, boasting a solid 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The effects used to create the creatures in Arcadian have sparked considerable debate among the VFX artists of Corridor Crew, with members expressing differing opinions on both the techniques employed and the overall quality of the visuals created by Arcadian's effects team. They said:

Niko: They’re going back and forth from like CG to real. It’s probably CGI but it looks real here.

Sam: There’s a weird thing up with the design of this creature though. You see its mouth and teeth, but then it turns its head. See, it’s got like fake teeth up there. I don’t think there’s anything practical here at all. I think we got bamboo sticks with tennis balls on it.

Niko: This is very nice motion blur. This is practical.

Wren: This is probably not a super high budget movie, and they probably had a real creature built for some of these shots.

As some praised the innovative use of practical effects blended with CGI, others questioned certain design choices and execution, feeling that some of the creatures may appear less convincing due to the film's stylistic choices:

Sam: CGI has done pretty well. I mean like the rendering is good, the lighting is good, the fur looks good. The only that keeps like bonking me is like they’re adding a lot of post-camera shake.

Niko: They must be using vector blur. You end up with things like this where the head blurs when it moves, but like when it starts chomping [you] end up with moments like there where there should be motion blur. It’s not tracking the motion of the object through the entire moment of that frame. It’s by no means bad. It’s just too bad they couldn’t render this part with physically accurate motion blur.

Wren: I also wonder how much of that is like an intentional direction, because having it be less motion blurred for the chomping makes it eerier. What a sweet shot though. It freaks me out in a way that I’ve never quite experienced.

What The VFX Breakdown Means For Arcadian

What Works And What Doesn’t In The Film's Visual Effects

While some sequences in Arcadian demonstrate impressive motion blur and realistic textures that enhance a sense of urgency and danger, others reveal discrepancies in the creature's design that can disrupt immersion. As noted by Corridor Crew, some creature designs in the film appeared to lack physicality, which could lead to unconvincing visuals. This critique points to the importance of a cohesive visual strategy in horror films, where the effectiveness of the monster can make or break the audience's suspension of disbelief.

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The mixed reviews from Corridor Crew highlight the delicate balance between practical effects and CGI in crafting effective horror in Arcadian. In an era where viewers have come to expect high-quality effects, the way a film's major supernatural, paranormal, or alien antagonist is depicted can significantly influence the film's reception. When VFX artists successfully integrate real and digital elements, they create an atmosphere that feels both grounded and otherworldly in a way that resonates with its audience.

Our Take On The Visual Effects In Arcadian

The Horror Genre Continues To Evolve

The creatures of Arcadian represent a unique take on the usual monsters that pop up in the horror genre, adorned in strange hair and giant teeth. Nonetheless, as a member of the Corridor Crew noted, "They were certainly creepier when they were more hidden." Monsters of the horror genre, such as aliens or paranormal entities, should evoke tangible fear and suspense, even in the light of day.

The conversation surrounding Arcadian speaks to broader — and exciting — trends in the horror genre, where critically-acclaimed films like John Kransinski's A Quiet Place or Jordan Peele's Nope have effectively utilized visual effects to heighten the stakes. Thus, while Arcadian may face scrutiny regarding its VFX execution, it also represents a critical opportunity for future filmmakers to refine their craft, striving for a seamless integration of techniques that deepens audience immersion and enhances the horror experience.

Source: Corridor Crew

Arcadian is a sci-fi thriller film by director Benjamin Brewer and released in 2024. Set after the events of a near-world ending event, Arcadian follows Paul and his twin sons as they battle against unseen forces from beyond the stars that look to destroy anything they lay eyes on.

Director Benjamin Brewer

Release Date April 12, 2024

Studio(s) Saturn Films

Distributor(s) RLJE Films

Writers Michael Nilon

Cast Nicolas Cage , Sadie Soverall , Jaeden Martell , Maxwell Jenkins , Joe Dixon , Samantha Coughlan , Daire McMahon , Joel Gillman

Runtime 92 Minutes