Velvet Buzzsaw Review: 4 Ups & 5 Downs

Downs...

5. The Disappointingly Generic Horror Elements

Velvet Buzzsaw represents Gilroy's first foray into fully-fledged horror fare, and though his previous films have focused on the evil that men (and women) do, this movie takes things to a far more heightened - and, disappointingly, typical - level.

If you've seen the trailer, you'll be aware that following the discovery of a dead artist's treasure trove of art, those who attempt to profit off the art suddenly start dying in a series of disturbing, surreal ways.

It's a decent enough set-up, but sadly Gilroy is never able to create a particularly suspenseful or creepy mood: most of the kills and "scary" moments feel disappointingly familiar, as though they belong in a garden variety studio horror film.

There's a depressing lack of imagination here, and as a result very little of what Gilroy presents on screen manages to burrow under the skin.