Hello, horror fans! Welcome to another edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. Twice each month, on the second and fourth Fridays, I come here and talk about a horror film that I feel is underrated and underloved. The chosen media may come from any subgenre, any decade, or anywhere in the world. If you are looking for something new to watch, keep a check on this column for recommendations. In this edition, I am discussing the 2022 movie Bed Rest. Keep reading to find out why I think it deserves more love.
About Bed Rest
Julie Rivers (Melissa Barrera) and her husband are moving into a new home as they prepare to bring new life into the world. After a previous tragedy almost destroyed her, Julie will do anything to keep her unborn child safe. When placed on bed rest, she begins to experience strange things in the house. As she continues to see things no one else can, Julie wonders if they are all in her head. As she faces her past and the supernatural, what must the mother-to-be endure to protect her child?
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Bed Rest stars Melissa Barrera, Guy Burnet, Edie Inksetter, Erik Athavale, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Kristen Sawatzky and Paul Essiembre. Lori Evans Taylor wrote the script and directed the film.
This movie does not have a Tomatometer or Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. It has a 5.1 on IMDb.
My Thoughts
As always, I looked at online reviews for this film to discuss the most common problems viewers have with the overall experience. Usually, I have to wade through hundreds of different thoughts, but with Bed Rest, I could only find 17 places where people had talked about the film. While this provides fewer points to discuss, it also proves that this is an incredibly underrated movie.
The central theme I noticed in the few comments I read was that it uses too many tropes. I can’t argue this point; the film does contain numerous horror tropes. Generally speaking, I am not a fan of overused cliches in films. In this case, however, it made the experience feel somehow nostalgic. Some moments leaned into some of the older horror movies that worked in the film’s favor.
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There are a few things that are worthy of note. For example, because the main character is on bed rest, the vast majority of the film takes place in two rooms of the house. When horror relies on a limited set, it can go one of two ways. Either it adds creepiness and a sense of claustrophobia to the experience, or it becomes repetitive and boring. I feel Bed Rest hovers on the line between the two options. It does have an eeriness to it, but at times, the scenes are overly similar.
Another important note is the nature of the story and possible trigger warnings. There are mentions of pregnancy loss, mental health and a spouse who refuses to believe their partner. Also, the entire movie is based around a pregnant woman, which includes themes relating to that subject.
In all honesty, I expected to hate Bed Rest. Oddly, I found it incredibly entertaining. It held my interest from beginning to end, and I found myself creeped out a few times. That is not to say that the movie is super scary, it’s not, but it is worth watching once.
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If you are preferential to blood and guts horror, this is not the one to watch. There is some blood near the end, but it is not enough to satisfy that subgenre. The effects that are used work well; they are simply few and far between. Overall, the film relies more on the psychological aspect. The story is not overly deep. It is about a woman who has lost a child and will do anything to protect the one she is carrying now. Throw in some supernatural elements and the audience wondering if Julie is crazy or seeing ghosts, and you have the entire plot.
Finally, I want to mention Melissa Barrera’s acting efforts. Had someone else taken on the role of Julie Rivers, I do not think it would have worked as well as it did. Her talents shine, and she proves why she is main character material. If nothing else, watch the film for her performance.
Final Thoughts
While Bed Rest may not be top-tier, it is an enjoyable 90 minutes with some decent atmosphere and acting. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend giving it a chance. If you have, I would love to know what you think. The film is available to stream exclusively on Tubi.
Alright, horror fans, we have come to the end of another edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. Leave your thoughts on Bed Rest in the comments, and let me know which film you think I should feature next. Until next time, stay spooky and watch more horror movies!
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