🔍 Synopsis

Cobweb features Peter (Woody Norman), an eight-year-old boy bound to the confines of an unsettling household living with his strict parents, Carol (Lizzy Caplan) and Mark (Antony Starr). His life appears mundane at first glance, until the day he starts hearing strange tapping noises from deep within the walls of his bedroom. Peter’s parents dismiss his fears claiming it is something that stems purely from his imagination, but in him lie seeds of doubt towards something far more sinister.

As his fears begin to spiral out of control, he goes to seek guidance from his affectionate substitute teacher Miss Devine (Cleopatra Coleman). This eventually leads Peter to reveal some spooky secrets hidden inside the household which, when unearthed, could shake the very foundation of his life.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

While Cobweb is yet to win any major awards, it has gained immense acclaim from horror fans due to its effective and emotional tension, atmospheric storytelling, and captivating performances from Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr.

🎭 Cast & Crew

• Woody Norman as Peter
• Lizzy Caplan as Carol (Peter’s Mother)
• Antony Starr as Mark (Peter’s Father)
• Cleopatra Coleman as Miss Devine
• Director: Samuel Bodin (Marianne)
• Screenwriter: Chris Thomas Devlin (Texas Chainsaw Massacre – 2022)

💡 Personal Insights

Cobweb is sustained through its gradual anticipation of fear instead of jump scares. However, what stands out is how intense Antony Starr’s character’s performance was, portraying Peter’s terrifyingly overprotective parents.

The viewers of the film are able to focus on the growing tension peacefully without having to focus on the intense details of the family. The entire house has the aura passed down through each terrifying family member. The big narrative shift the movie takes towards the end reveals the concern surrounding the identity of the real monster.

🌍 Cultural Significance

Cobweb delves into universally experienced childhood phobias: neglect, misunderstanding, and feeling boxed in by a supposed safe zone. It touches on themes of solitude, boundary parenting, and the unnerving reality that lies behind what seems like a normal family.

The film is indicative of a broader trend in contemporary horror’s focus on psychological trauma and atmosphere (like in Hereditary and The Babadook) instead of just gore or shock value.