Best & Worst Blind Buys You’ve Ever Made...

[Dark City Denizen]

There are few things more satisfying to me in this hobby than a successful blind buy. An obscure film you come across, allow yourself only a barebones awareness of, & purchase on risk of wasting your money. It doesn’t always come off, of course, which is what makes the wins so meaningful.

What are your hits & misses blind-buying? Don’t be too descriptive in your hits, as someone reading this thread may be enticed to give your recommendation a go.

HITS...

Thelma (2017)

This is the best of the bunch, & the only blind buy to end up making my top 100 favourite films. A Norwegian movie about a sheltered young woman coming to terms with a dark family secret & burgeoning supernatural powers. Dramatic, compelling viewing from start to finish.

Spring (2014)

A sort of Let the Right One in for adults (& just as good) about a young American man who flees turmoil for the Italian coastline...& gets a lot more than he bargained for. Excellent pair of lead performances.

Harpoon (2019)

A Canadian film I discovered on Arrow’s website. A brutal, daring black comedy. Extremely funny & smart, but not for the faint of heart.

Triangle (2009)

An English film starring Melissa George & a young Liam Hemsworth, this is a frightening, challenging horror movie set at sea.

Sputnik (2020)

Russian movie set in the later stages of the Cold War. There’s no beating around it...this is obviously an Alien-inspired film (the Director has admitted as much), but it’s a damn good entry in that regard. Wonderful creature design.

The Lure (2015)

Utterly bizarre but wholly captivating Polish film available on the Criterion Collection. Mermaids, horror & music.

Red Hill (2010)

A contemporary Wallaby Western from Australia, this is a good old-fashioned revenge thriller with guts, guns & a mysterious, possibly mythical panther.

Control (2003)

Take a wild (& wildly entertaining) ride in the underbelly of the Budapest Metro Rail system in this Hungarian film that mixes suspense, thrills, some light drama & many hilarious comedic scenes in a one of a kind genre mash-up.