No other 2022 horror was as pleasantly (or unpleasantly) surprising as BARBARIAN. You think you’ve got an idea of how far Zach Cregger’s film is going to go and which formulaic horror beats it’ll hit as soon as Tess (Georgina Campbell) turns up in an unfriendly neighbourhood to a double-booked Air BnB, but you really don’t. She inevitably makes her way down to a scary basement and beyond but then new parties arrive on the scene and we start to delve into the depraved history of the dwelling and its occupants. Barbarian is an absolute ride; thrilling, twisted and wickedly funny but not lacking in heart when it needs it. It’s this latter aspect that’s the most refreshing; plenty of horrors prompt gasps and grimaces, but very few can bring you to the verge of tears. SSP