“Polaroid” (2019) is a supernatural horror film directed by Lars Klevberg, based on his 2015 short film of the same name. The film is produced by Roy Lee and Jonas HΓ€mmerle. It’s a supernatural thriller centered around an old polaroid camera that harbors a terrifying curseβcapturing the lives of those in its photographs, with deadly consequences.
The film follows Bird Fitcher (played by Kathryn Prescott), a high school student who comes into possession of an old Polaroid camera. After she receives it from an antique store, she starts taking pictures of her friends and classmates. However, she soon discovers that the camera has a dark secret: anyone who has their photo taken by it will be cursed, eventually leading to their death.
As Bird continues to use the camera, her friends and loved ones start to die under mysterious and violent circumstances, one by one. The deaths appear to be linked to the photos, and Bird realizes that whoever is photographed by the camera is doomed. With the help of her friends, she attempts to unravel the mystery of the cameraβs origins and stop the curse before it claims anyone else.
Bird faces an escalating series of dangerous and terrifying events as the cameraβs curse becomes more apparent. She must confront the dark forces behind the camera and find a way to break the curse before her own lifeβand the lives of those closest to herβare claimed by the cameraβs sinister power.
Polaroid had a mixed reception from critics. While the film was praised for its atmosphere and supernatural premise, many critics found the plot and scares to be derivative, drawing comparisons to other popular supernatural horror films. The filmβs reliance on traditional jump-scare tactics and its somewhat predictable story arc were points of contention for some viewers.
However, fans of supernatural horror and cursed-object films found enjoyment in the film’s concept, particularly the creepy premise of the haunted camera and the slow-building tension as the curse unfolds. The film also appeals to fans of teen horror, as it follows a familiar structure of young people trying to survive against an unseen, unstoppable force.
Polaroid is a supernatural horror film with a unique premise revolving around a cursed Polaroid camera. While it may not break new ground in terms of storytelling or originality, it offers a tense and creepy experience for fans of horror and supernatural thrillers. The filmβs central ideaβthe idea of photographs trapping people into a deadly curseβis an intriguing concept, but it ultimately follows many familiar tropes from other horror films.