Title: Censor
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Prano Bailey-Bond
Starring: Naimh Algar, Michael Smiley, Nicholas Burns
Runtime: 1 hr 24 mins
What It Is: Enid (Algar) works at the British Board for Film Censorship. It is her job to sift through the muck and gunk of the “video nasties” Britain was very scared would lead to imitation. When a horrendous murder occurs and appears to emulate a film all fingers point to the censorship board and the person that certified it for release…Enid. She’s attacked in the media and by the people in her neighborhood. Leaving her no choice but to look into the mysterious director that made the film. Among other sinister things.
What We Think: Not only does the film work itself into being believable with its interesting premise but the execution from Prano Bailey-Bond is excellent. Algar gives one of my favorite horror performances of the year and really sinks her teeth into Enid. What she’s going through and what she’s been through. I love the decisions made by the director and cinematographer in terms of how the film looks. It has a grungy ’70s feel. Given that it takes place around then the emulation works perfectly. The violence and horror is ugly. It’s suppose to be so this is by no means a negative. That ugliness is such a weird positive for the film.
Our Grade: B+, This is an excellent film, let alone being one of 2021’s most surprising horror releases. I don’t know what I thought this film would be but it was not what I was expecting. It’s probably the better for it. I would definitely recommend this one to all my horror peeps. I think you’ll love it just as much as I did. Check this one out when it comes to VOD near you.