A CLASSIC HORROR STORY on Netflix is a horror movie that takes place in Italy. Overall, it works well as a horror movie, but the ending is what brings it home for me. Think Midsommar meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Read our full A Classic Horror Story movie review here!

A CLASSIC HORROR STORY is a new Netflix horror movie from Italy. Yes, it takes place in Italy, but it could just as well be Sweden or Texas. Two of the main inspirations are Midsommar with a touch of some Texas Chainsaw Massacre madness. However, maybe not in the ways, you’d expect. Also, some events do play out at a campground (Hello Friday the 13th).

Really, the title says it all because this horror movie is chock-full of horror movie references. It’s pretty much the point. This is by no means a spoof or horror-comedy though. It is a straight-up horror movie. And the ending is very meta and honestly brought the whole thing home for me. I loved it!

Continue reading our A Classic Horror Story movie review below and find the horror movie on Netflix now.

Starring the Italian Matilda Lutz

I have been eagerly expecting a new genre movie starring Matilda Lutz ever since watching her in the awesome revenge and survival movie Revenge (2017). However, I did not expect this movie to be Italian. Mostly because I had completely forgotten that Matilda Lutz (or Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) is actually Italian.

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Our review of the amazing survival horror movie Revenge here >

For those who enjoy watching her kick-ass (and almost die) in Revenge, you already know what you’re in for. Matilda Lutz is (yet again!) so damn brilliant in this genre movie. In a very different way, though she does end up just as bloody. She plays Elisa who is a very demure and responsible young lady.

Also, yes, she speaks Italian in this Italian movie that takes place in Italy. Duh! However, and I know this is important to many of you, there is also English spoken. Several non-Italians (i.e. tourists) are in this movie as well, so you’ll hear English too. Honestly though, what you see is more important than what you’ll hear. In terms of dialogue, anyway.

A Classic Horror Story – Netflix Review

The ending of A Classic Horror Story on Netflix

I absolutely loved the A Classic Horror Story ending. It made the movie work so much better for me in every single way. Complete with its very direct and honest Netflix affiliation and what that means for movies. Just notice the logo and “jingle” for the streaming service Bloodflix. Very meta and totally awesome commentary on media consumption these days!

Trust me, when I say that the less you know about A Classic Horror Story, the better. You don’t want all the spoilers or read any “A Classic Horror Story ending explained” ahead of watching this. You can look those up afterward. The entire point of the movie – which is an actual point in the ending – is to watch and enjoy the movies you choose to watch.

There is a whole meta-layer to A Classic Horror Story that goes beyond just the stories that are somewhat recycled across decades. The ending of this Netflix horror movie also comments on how some people put hate on horror movies and then eat up all the news about death and murder. As if that’s somehow more legitimate even if they treat that as entertainment as well.

Watch A Classic Horror Story on Netflix now!

Roberto De Feo (The Nest) and Paolo Strippoli directed and co-wrote A Classic Horror Story together. Well, actually, the screenplay has an additional three writers with Lucio Besana, Milo Tissone, and the late David Bellini rounding out the writing team credited with creating the screenplay.

Honestly, I am always a bit nervous when that many writers are involved. Still, when you watch the movie – and you really should – then you’ll see how the many different elements could require a lot of different perspectives.

I’d give it a solid 3½ out of 5 if we did half stars here at Heaven of Horror. My only issue with this movie is that it feels quite a bit longer than its 95-minute runtime. That’s what happens when form wins over function for just a bit too long. However, that ending more than makes up for having to wait a while for it all to come together. Do not miss out on this Netflix addition!

A Classic Horror Story is out on Netflix from July 14, 2021.

Details

Directors: Roberto De Feo & Paolo Strippoli
Writers: Lucio Besana, Roberto De Feo, Paolo Strippoli, Milo Tissone, David Bellini
Stars: Matilda Lutz, Francesco Russo, Peppino Mazzotta, Yulia Sobol, Will Merrick, Alida Baldari Calabria, Cristina Donadio

Plot

Five carpoolers travel in an RV to reach a common destination. Night falls and to avoid an animal carcass they crash into a tree. When they regain consciousness they find themselves in the middle of nowhere. The road they were traveling on has disappeared; now there is only a dense and impenetrable wood and a wooden house in the middle of a clearing. They will soon discover that it is the home of an unmentionable cult. How did they get there? What really happened after the accident? Who are the masked creatures depicted on the paintings in the house? Will they be able to trust each other to try and get out of the nightmare they have been trapped in?

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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