Forget the Blockbusters: This Underrated Val Kilmer Horror Flick on Prime Video Will Haunt You!
Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary director behind "The Godfather," took a detour into the realm of horror in 2011 with "Twixt," starring Val Kilmer and Elle Fanning. While it wasn't a career-ending disaster like his earlier box office bomb, "One From the Heart," (which nearly derailed his entire career!), "Twixt" largely slipped under the radar upon its initial release. Critics weren't exactly raving, but... something interesting is happening. Modern audiences are finding a strange and unsettling appeal in Coppola's overlooked horror film, now readily available on Prime Video and Pluto. This begs the question: are we finally ready to appreciate Coppola's unique vision?
Coppola wrote, directed, and produced "Twixt," a true auteur effort. Val Kilmer shines as Hall Baltimore, a struggling novelist known for his witch-hunting fantasy tales. During a book signing in a sleepy small town, Baltimore encounters Bobby LaGrange (played by the brilliant Bruce Dern), a fan who pulls him into the town's dark underbelly. LaGrange convinces Baltimore to visit the local morgue, where the body of a serial killer's latest victim lies. Intrigued by both the gruesome murders and the town's shadowy history, Baltimore decides to base his next novel on the area.
But here's where it gets controversial... Soon, Baltimore finds himself slipping into a dreamlike state, a bizarre netherworld version of the town where he encounters Elle Fanning's mysterious character, "V" (short for Virginia). The line between reality and fiction blurs as Baltimore realizes his new story is digging up his own buried guilt and trauma. The film takes a decidedly dark turn from here, exploring themes of grief, responsibility, and the seductive power of the imagination.
"Twixt" initially premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011, followed by appearances at other festivals before a limited international theatrical release. In 2022, Coppola unveiled a director's cut titled "B'Twixt Now and Sunrise," which you can now stream on Prime Video at no extra cost. For those without Prime, the original film is available for free on Pluto. However, if you're a purist seeking the original theatrical cut, you'll have to shell out some cash for the Blu-ray or DVD, currently priced relatively high on Amazon.
"Twixt": More Than Just a Coppola Curiosity, It's a Window into His Soul
While "Twixt" didn't explode onto the scene in 2011, it's clear that Francis Ford Coppola poured his heart and soul into the project. Inspired by a dream he had, which he described as the genesis of the film's "gothic romance setting," Coppola self-financed the film and primarily shot it on his own estate in Napa County, California. And this is the part most people miss... The project was profoundly personal. Coppola revealed during the film's press tour that he was grappling with his own guilt surrounding the tragic death of his son, Gian-Carlo, in 1986. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Coppola admitted, "I didn't realize it was going to take me to something I haven't ever admitted to myself...Every parent feels that they're responsible for whatever might happen to their kids... I didn't realize how much I felt personally responsible for what happened those 25 years ago. I should have been there."
Knowing this, "Twixt" transforms from a quirky, overlooked film into a deeply personal exploration of grief and regret – a must-see for any Coppola aficionado. If you're still hesitant due to the film's less-than-stellar 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, consider this: "Twixt" has much more to offer than initial reviews suggested.
For example, Coppola continued to tweak and refine the movie even as it was being screened. Sound familiar? In a move reminiscent of the audience participation strategy he employed with his 2024 epic, "Megalopolis," Coppola encouraged audience feedback during "Twixt" screenings, actually editing the film in real-time. While this unconventional approach didn't sway the critics at the time, the film has garnered increasing praise from viewers in recent years. Was Coppola ahead of his time with this interactive filmmaking approach?
"Twixt": Destined for Cult Classic Status
"Twixt" might not top the list of Val Kilmer's most iconic roles, but those who have seen the poignant documentary "Val" will recognize that the actor – who sadly passed away in 2025 – was making some truly fascinating and bold choices towards the end of his career. Francis Ford Coppola's deeply personal horror fantasy was one such choice, and while critics were lukewarm overall, Kilmer's performance earned praise, adding yet another compelling reason to watch the movie.
Furthermore, on Letterboxd, a vibrant community of cinephiles is expressing a growing affection for Coppola's film. User reviews describe it as "hard to tease or puzzle out, but easy to love" and "probably the most Francis Ford Coppola movie in the history of Francis Ford Coppola movies." Whether that statement intrigues you depends entirely on your feelings towards the director, but surely the ambitious, visually stunning, and ultimately divisive nature of 2024's "Megalopolis" has "Twixt" beat for the most 'Coppola' movie ever made (though the former came at a significantly higher financial cost).
Regardless of critical reception, "Twixt" is a captivating and unique film that should pique the interest of any film enthusiast. As Coppola himself stated at TIFF, "One of the most frequent things I hear is that, 'Well, the films you're making now are not as good as the films you made 30 years ago.' My answer is the truth: 30 years ago, those films you think were so good were not received well... 30 years later, they'll give you a lifetime achievement award for what you got fired for."
So, what do you think? Is "Twixt" an underappreciated masterpiece, or a misguided experiment? Does Coppola's personal connection to the story enhance the film, or does it make it too self-indulgent? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's discuss whether this film deserves a second look (or a first, for many!).
