‘Evil has new depths’
The Well is a 2023 horror film about a budding art restorer who travels to a small Italian village to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory. Little does she know she is placing her life in danger from an evil curse and a monster born of myth and brutal pain.
Directed by Federico Zampaglione (Morrison; Tulpa; Shadow) from a screenplay co-written with producer Stefano Masi.
The Italian Iperuriano Film production stars Lauren LaVera (Terrifier 2), Claudia Gerini, Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Yassine Fadel, Gianluigi Galvani, Melanie Gaydos, Jonathan Dylan King, Elisabetta Klein, Stefano Martinelli, Denise McNee, Courage Osabohine, Lorenzo Renzi, Linda Zampaglione, Taylor Zaudtke, Nicolo Viridi and Maria Grazia Ortesani.
Reviews:
“For a fright film to really work, the quality of the central performance must be proportionate to the intensity of the terror. LaVera achieves that balance. The Well is not for the squeamish. You’ll need a strong stomach to deal with several of the movie’s centerpiece scenes.” 3 out of 4, The Aisle Seat
” …The Well is not a film for everyone—it’s dark, unsettling, and at times, feels downright angry. But for those who appreciate a good, old-fashioned horror movie with a modern twist, it’s a journey worth taking. Just be sure to have a few lighter films queued up afterward to cleanse the palate.” Cinedump
“Zampaglione offers a truly unique tale that combines almost everything to love about the horror genre, so even with its flaws such as its concluding moments and fast-paced character development, The Well leaves quite a lot to admire if you’re eager enough to drop in and find out just what’s residing in this hellish pit.” Cinefied
“As if alert to the risk that his film may drown in kitsch, director Federico Zampaglione adds layers of gratuitous nastiness which ensure that nobody can get too comfortable. Splattering blood is the least of it, with the special effects team having a whale of a time – even before it comes to creature design. In any other cultural context, these different stylistic elements would sit awkwardly, but here they’re perfectly blended.” ★★★½ Eye for Film
“Zampaglione knows exactly what he is making, and he moves into each gory set-piece with gusto, getting in close whenever flesh is being chopped and limbs are being removed. The unfolding “mystery” is pretty obvious, but our lead character is helpfully motivated to stick around by the young girl that she ends up feeling protective of. LaVera is an excellent lead…” 7 out of 10, For It Is Man’s Number
“Despite some flaws, The Well is an effectively chilling and well-made horror film that remains engaging from start to finish. Through Lisa’s emotional performance, the audience becomes invested in her tragic corruption by sinister forces. The hostage scenes add extra layers of shocking gore for horror fans. Above all, The Well succeeds as a morality tale about power’s corrupting nature.” ★★★ Horror Facts
“The Well is replete with exquisite cinematography, a hallmark of Italian filmmakers, as it showcases the breathtaking landscapes throughout the film. Yet, the true allure for horror aficionados lies in the relentless gore, sure to bring a grin to Eli Roth’s face. There are moments that will make you cringe but won’t allow you to avert your gaze.” Horror Movies Uncut
“For fans of horror cinema, this is a fun, gory treat. For fans of Italian horror cinema, it’s a strangely heartwarming trip back to a time when slotting a tape into the video player was accompanied by a rush of excitement, not knowing what the hell was about to come next. This is unashamedly enthusiastic filmmaking which makes some fascinating decisions along the way…” ★★★★ Love Horror
“Surprisingly, The Well has a wonderful sense of humour. Black humour yes, but it still brings a light-hearted edge to a film that feels intense – not only because of the story but the excessive gore effects, packed with the kind of gruesome in-your-face practical effects that look like they’ve stepped straight out of the horrors of the VHS heyday… LeVera’s performance is central to the success of the film…” ★★★★★ Nerdly
“The Well (2023) is an old-school Italian shocker that has a modern feel and twist, great production value, and an excellent lead-in Lauren LaVera. The cast does terrific work and makes the film believable and scary. The gore effects are well done, and if you like a good gut munching, The Well (2023) will be right up your alley.” Nightmarish Conjurings
“Lauren LaVera, who plays the vulnerable and gullible Lisa, is becoming somewhat of a gore magnet […] Zampaglione exploits her demure screen presence, dwelling over her huge eyes and milking her wholesome charisma […] The Well is a no-nonsense thrill ride of nastiness with just the right mix of knowing trashiness and top-tier carnage to please aficionados of old-school Italian vulgarism and fledgeling gore hounds alike.” The People’s Movies
” …The Well was really well made. The locations all looked very dusty and grimy, the special effects were gruesomely delightful, and I found myself invested in the events of the movie. Only really let down by a couple of generic characters, and an epilogue that I wasn’t that sure about.” 7 out of 10, The Rotting Zombie
For YouTube reviews, the trailer and more movie info please visit page 2
MOVIES & MANIA provides previews of new films, our own movie reviews/ratings, and links to other reviews from trustworthy recommended sources - all in one handy web location. Plus, links to legitimately watch 1000s OF MOVIES FREE ONLINE via platforms such as Amazon Prime, Plex, Roku, Tubi and on YouTube. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a very tiny amount from any qualifying purchases.