Barbarian

Tess travels to a new city for a job interview and books an Airbnb for the night. When she arrives, she discovers another guest already occupying the place. Should she cut her losses and find somewhere else, or press on and stay the night? Against her instincts she decides to stay, hoping the situation will settle by morning. What begins as a tense moral test soon reveals a chilling uncertainty about who she can trust under this roof. The cramped, dimly lit rooms become a stage for suspicion and danger, ratcheting up with every unanswered question. The film lets the audience fill in gaps while it pushes Tess to cope with fear and make snap decisions in the dark alone.

Barbarian arrived in 2022 and was directed by Zach Cregger from an original screenplay. It marks Cregger's feature directing debut, pairing a lean budget with a bold approach that blends suspense, horror, and darkly funny tonal twists for viewers everywhere.

The film grossed about 45.4 million worldwide on a modest 4.5 million budget, underscoring strong return for a horror thriller. Its performance benefited from positive word of mouth and a wide release that drew casual fans and genre lovers alike.

Critics generally praised Barbarian for brisk pacing, the way it juggles two distinct dread modes, and the performances of Georgina Campbell and Bill Skarsgård. The film probes trust in strangers and the danger hidden in ordinary spaces, while keeping audiences guessing about what comes next and how viewers judge danger.

Barbarian sparked conversations about housing safety and the uneasy vibe of urban spaces, with fans citing its surprise shifts and practical effects as a reminder that effective horror can come from a small, intimate setting. It remains memorable for audiences who appreciate bold genre choices and its continued influence today.