Review -- Nails

Nails (2017) -- Most of us agree that hospitals are uncomfortable places to say the least. They are the ultimate domains of life and death and, all too often, life versus death. When one of these charming institutions is a setting for a horror film, they are downright terrifying and make for some of the best genre locations. This Dennis Bartok gem has mostly been overlooked, which is a shame, considering its creepy atmosphere and a great lead performance.

Track coach Dana (Shauna Macdonald) has barely survived a horrible car accident. Waking up in hospital paralyzed and unable to talk or breathe on her own, she starts using an artificial voice program to communicate with her family and the staff. When strange things start happening in her room and Dana starts seeing an ominous ghostly presence, she has to figure out how to make everyone believe her and how to escape...

Nails is one of those genre pieces that are hidden in a puzzle of entries, but that impress upon discovery. There are some plot holes -- did the hospital really need to hire THAT character for THAT ward? -- and the supporting characters are pretty one-dimensional, but the film relies on ambiance to showcase its story and wow, does it deliver. The creaky, shadowy hospital will give you the shivers, especially when you consider the protagonist's initial state. Its vacant, somber corridors and that closet are the stuff of nightmares. Who knows what happens in this place when it is shrouded in darkness? Director Bartok utilizes the locale in the best way since The Vicious Brothers' Grave Encounters, employing every nook and cranny as potential demonic nests. On that note, Nails is one of the best villains in the last decade. He is an unearthly, threatening entity whose intentions are unknown at first and who might well be indestructible. His first appearance is chilling and his demeanor unpredictable, creating a unique and formidable adversary.

The cast is well chosen. The Descent's Macdonald gives a striking, vulnerable performance as a woman fighting the mysterious creature and Richard Forster-King is terrific as the disturbing and disturbed villain. Leah McNamara is also superb as Dana's daughter Gemma, another important player in the proceedings, as is Ross Noble as a sympathetic nurse.

When it comes to thrills and chills, less is always more. When it comes to horror, it is often the atmosphere and context that can make the greatest and haunting impact. Nails is a riveting genre entry that makes a splash with its bare bones approach. It shows how an effective story and a strong protagonist are sometimes the only ingredients required for a true hell fest, frightening the viewer and snapping them out of their cushy surroundings.   

7/10