Blackwood
Released
7.0out of 10
Based on 1 rating
On a scale of 1 to 10, Blackwood scores 7.0 for how scary it is. Strong suspense and strong creepiness.
Having recovered from a shattering emotional breakdown, college professor Ben Marshall relocates to the countryside with his wife and young son, hoping for a fresh start. He has a teaching job lined up and a new home to move into; things finally look to be going Ben's way. Until, that is, he starts to feel that something isn't quite right in the house. Finding himself plagued by spectral visions, Ben becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind a local mystery that appears to be putting the lives of his family in danger
How it scares
Each kind of scare is rated out of 10. Hover over a score, or use the info button, to see what it means.
- Gore
4.8 out of 10,Strong
Blood, injuries and body horror shown on screen. Violence that happens off-screen barely counts.
Gore 4.8 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Happens fairly often, but doesn't linger
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Creepy
5.8 out of 10,Strong
Unsettling images, atmosphere and things that feel wrong. Not sudden shocks (Jumpscares) or waiting for something to happen (Suspense).
Creepy 5.8 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Comes back often, and some scenes stay with you afterwards
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Jumpscares
4.6 out of 10,Strong
Sudden shocks designed to make you jump, usually a fast movement or a loud noise. Not slow-building dread (Suspense).
Jumpscares 4.6 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Regular jumpscares, often with loud sound cues
- A real part of how the film scares you
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Suspense
6.4 out of 10,Strong
Tension and dread while you wait for something to happen. Not the scare itself when it arrives (Jumpscares or Gore).
Suspense 6.4 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Calm moments are short and don't last
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
- Psychological
5.0 out of 10,Strong
Horror that gets in your head: paranoia, madness, doubting what's real and ideas that stay with you. Not how a scene looks (Creepy) or feels in the moment (Suspense).
Psychological 5.0 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Paranoia, madness or a story that makes you question what's real
- A big part of the film, and it stays with you afterwards
- 1-2Mild
- 3-4Moderate
- 5-6Strong
- 7-8Intense
- 9-10Extreme
How the overall score of 7.0 is worked out
Scare weighting compares each kind of scare with other films, lifting what's stronger than usual and lowering what's weaker, so only the strongest get near 10. The Scare Scale score is the average of the three highest.
| Kind of scare | Rated | Scare weighting | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspense (in the top 3) | 6.4 | +1.5 | 7.9 |
| Jumpscares (in the top 3) | 4.6 | +2.0 | 6.6 |
| Creepy (in the top 3) | 5.8 | +0.7 | 6.5 |
| Psychological | 5.0 | +1.2 | 6.2 |
| Gore | 4.8 | −0.8 | 4.0 |
The highlighted top 3 make up the score:
(7.9 + 6.6 + 6.5) ÷ 3 = 7.0
Blackwood parents guide
What to expect from each kind of scare, from the Scare Scale scores.
- Gore: Strong
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Creepy: Strong
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Jumpscares: Strong
- Regular jumpscares, often with loud sound cues
- Suspense: Strong
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Psychological: Strong
- Paranoia, madness or a story that makes you question what's real
Where it sits on the Scare Scale
Blackwood is number 293 of 3356 rated films on the Scare Scale, with an overall score of 7.0 out of 10.
Every line is a rated film. Hover, tap or drag along the line to compare.
- Moloch7.0
- Martyrs Lane7.0
- Blackwood (this film)7.0
- The Final Conflict7.0
- The Haunted Apartment: “Miss K”7.0
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