The Collector - A Movie Review

Trust me, you do not want to go inside that house.

The Collector is a 2009 film. In a desperate attempt to repay his ex-wife, Arkin, an ex-con plots to steal from his new employer's home. Breaking into the house, he is unaware that a masked criminal has already trespassed the house setting up deadly traps.

I am very surprised that I made it through The Collector. Several times I wanted to shut it off because it is a disturbing film. It’s one of the worst horror films I have ever seen. How does this film have hype? There is barely any story to this ridiculously gory torture film that is awful to watch.

This film is more about the bloody torture than the characters - if you want to call them that. Andrea Roth, William Prael, Diana Ayala Goldner, Michael Reilly Burke, Karley Scott Collins, and Madaline Zima are a few actors to name.

Hardly any of them can act. Their deliveries are so cringe-worthy. I will give applause to child actress Karley Scott Collins as Hannah. For a violent film like this, Collins did a great job. Thankfully, and I am not sure if I should say that, most of the film is action-based.

Josh Stewart does an excellent job maneuvering his way through this psychotic house. His expressions were very effective. I did like Arkin. Stewart at least added innocence into his portrayal, unlike other actors in the film. Arkin is not so innocent himself, robbing this house, but helping the residents where he can.

As for The Collector (Juan Fernandez), he is a sick and twisted person with a morbid interest in torturing, kidnapping, and killing people in the most gruesome ways. Every time he looked at me with that empty stare, I looked away. Maybe it would have been a good idea, but we don’t know anything about this ruthless man. Why is he doing this?

As described by viewers, The Collector is a dark adaptation of Home Alone. In the first hour of the film, I was laughing at how ridiculous it was. The Collector has just entered the house a few minutes after Arkin and yet all these traps - bear traps, trip wires, and a knife chandelier have been set up in each room!

I can’t even describe what methods of torture are used in this film. It’s unbelievable. It really is. This film is not easy for the eyes, let alone the ears. Characters are painfully crying out for help. These traps are the basis of the film.

I’ll tell you now. Don’t watch this movie. It baffles me that some audience members like this. It’s concerning that many are fond of the violent nature. The Collector is a violent, bloody, gory, and distasteful film. It made my stomach turn from the uncomfortable torture.

How Marcus Dunstan thought up all these bloody traps is beyond me. Dunstan clearly made this film for fans of torture porn. Overall, he did a fine job with the direction. It’s a suspenseful film. The remainder of the film takes place inside a dark house. I’m not sure if I should say that the film becomes repetitive or if it even has a plot.

It’s just torture. Bloody, violent, despicable, gruesome, nasty, and uncomfortable torture! There is a sequel to this film that explains more of the backstory of The Collector.

Take caution of The Collector if you do watch it. Littered with triggers, unsettling bloody wounds, and nudity, this is not an easy film to watch if you can sit through it.