Craig Rees offers a fresh and darkly creative take on the classic children’s story with his latest horror project, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Death and Porridge.” This film blends dark fantasy and horror, creating an experience that is both intriguing and unsettling.

The movie opens with a dreamlike flashback sequence that effectively sets the eerie tone. From there, we follow the characters to the infamous house in the woods, a setting that Rees transforms into a character of its own. Visually, the film impresses with its dark, atmospheric cinematography that captures the creepy beauty of the forest and the house. The score, albeit a little disjointed, enhances the tension throughout.

Reminiscent of home invasion classics such as Bryan Bertino’s “The Strangers” (2008), the movie blends tension and weirdness while utilizing practical techniques to create a disturbingly real experience. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to overlook the lackluster performances...