Our Ratings.Explained.
A simple, six-tier scale that answers one question:
What’s this movie worth to you?
Six ratings.
Two perspectives.
The Fear Review uses six ratings instead of stars or percentages. They’re quick to understand and focused on how you might want to experience a movie, whether that’s in a theater, at home, or not at all.
Buyer
The highest recommendation. A movie we would want to own and revisit, and one that earns a permanent spot in the collection.
Full Price
Worth paying full theater admission. A strong recommendation and a movie we would gladly see on the big screen.
Matinee
Worth seeing, especially at a discounted ticket price. Enjoyable, with enough reservations that full price feels like a stretch.
Renter
Worth a one-time rental or at-home watch. There is something to enjoy, even if it is not essential viewing.
Streamer
Worth checking out when it is available on a service you already have. Not something we would pay extra to see.
Don’t Bother
We cannot recommend spending your time or money on this one. Skip it.
Our Approach.
Our ratings reflect our overall experience with a movie, including its story, characters, performances, atmosphere, filmmaking, and how effectively it delivers on its own intentions. We consider each movie on its own terms, whether it’s a major studio release or an independent production.
The Details.
- Our ratings are personal, independent opinions.
- William and Amy rate movies separately.
- We never average or combine our ratings.
- A lower rating doesn’t mean a movie has no value. It means it didn’t work for that reviewer.
- Our goal is to help you decide what’s worth your time and money.
Different Reactions.
A Broader View.
Horror is subjective, and that’s the point. William is a lifelong horror fan, while Amy brings the perspective of a casual viewer. We don’t always agree, and we don’t try to. Keeping both ratings gives you two different ways to judge whether a movie might work for you.
Same Scale. Different Perspectives.
A lifelong horror fan and a casual viewer. Two opinions, one shared love of movie night.