Following Nicolas Cage’s dive into the horror genre this year, director Benjamin Brewer’s post-apocalyptic film Arcadian receives mixed reviews from VFX artists about its creatures. Set against the backdrop of a devastated world, the film stars Nicolas Cage as a father trying to protect his teenage sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), from sinister entities that stalk his farm at night. Released on April 12th, Arcadian received generally favorable reviews from critics, boasting a solid 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The effects used to create the creatures in Arcadian generated considerable debate among VFX artists from Runner Crewwith members expressing differing opinions on the techniques employed and the overall quality of the visuals created by Arcadianeffects team. They said:
Nico: They’re going back and forth from CG to real. It’s probably CGI, but it looks real here.
Sam: However, there is something strange about this creature’s design. You see his mouth and teeth, but then he turns his head. See, there are fake teeth up there. I don’t think there is anything practical here. I think we have bamboo sticks with tennis balls.
Nico: This is a really nice motion blur. This is practical.
Wren: This probably isn’t a very high budget movie, and they probably built a real creature for some of these scenes.
While some praised the innovative use of practical effects combined with CGI, others questioned certain design and execution choices, feeling that some of the creatures may appear less convincing due to the film’s stylistic choices:
Sam: CGI did very well. I mean, the rendering is good, the lighting is good, the skin looks good. The one thing that keeps bothering me is like they’re adding too much post-camera vibration.
Nico: They must be using vector blur. You end up with things like this where the head is blurry when it moves, but like when you start chewing [you] put an end to moments like that where there should be motion blur. It’s not tracking the movement of the object for the entire moment in that frame. It’s not bad at all. It’s a shame they couldn’t render this part with physically accurate motion blur.
Wren: I also wonder how much of this is intentional direction, because having less blurred motion for the chewing makes everything scarier. But what a beautiful photo. It scares me in a way I’ve never experienced.
What VFX Detail Means for Arcadian
What works and what doesn’t in the film’s visual effects
Although some sequences in Arcadian demonstrate impressive motion blurs and realistic textures that heighten the sense of urgency and danger, others reveal discrepancies in the creature’s design that can disrupt immersion. As noted by Runner CrewSome creature designs in the film appeared to lack physicality, which could lead to unconvincing visuals. This criticism points to the importance of a cohesive visual strategy in horror films, where the The monster’s effectiveness can make or break the audience’s suspension of disbelief.
The mixed reviews of Runner Crew highlight the delicate balance between practical effects and CGI in crafting effective horror in Arcadian. In an age where viewers expect high-quality effects, the way a film’s main supernatural, paranormal, or alien antagonist is portrayed can significantly influence the film’s reception. When VFX artists successfully integrate real and digital elements, they create an atmosphere that feels grounded and otherworldly in a way that resonates with your audience.
Our opinion 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 crop up in the horror genre, adorned with strange hair and giant teeth. However, as a member of Runner Crew observed, “They were certainly scarier when they were more hidden.” Monsters in the horror genre, such as aliens or paranormal entities, should evoke tangible fear and suspense, even in daylight.
The conversation around Arcadian speaks to broader — and exciting — trends in the horror genre, where critically acclaimed films like John Kransinski’s A peaceful place or Jordan Peele No effectively used visual effects to raise the stakes. So, while Arcadian may face scrutiny regarding the execution of visual effects, it also represents a critical opportunity for future filmmakers to refine their craftseeking a perfect integration of techniques that deepens the audience’s immersion and enhances the horror experience.
Source: Runner Crew