A dark folk tale set in the hills of Wales during the industrial revolution.
Chuck says: The most effectively atmospheric film of the year, William McGregor’s directorial debut is a stunner that engulfs the viewer in a dark world of paranoia, greed and sickness that produces a brand of horror that’s all too relatable and timely. The perpetually overcast, dark, dank world created by the filmmaker becomes a character unto itself, a reflection of the inescapable oppression the characters struggle to escape. Eleanor Worthington-Cox is a revelation here in the title role, delivering a multi-faceted performance that’s at turns sympathetic and fierce, captivating from beginning to end. Horror fans may be disappointed by the movie’s climax however this film effectively speaks to terror of a far more human nature rather than the supernatural.
Pam says:
This story, with all its allegories and societal references, relies so much on tone and mood that the storyline suffers. Its dark and forboding journey into the future keeps us hanging on, waiting for that next shoe to drop which does so inexplicably. Eleanor Worthington-Cox has an incredible performance, subtle and nuanced, but the one-note screeching of Maxine Peake’s “Elen” is jarring in a way that did not jive with the type of horror writer/director William McGregor used throughout the film. Cinematography elevates this film as you feel the dank, dark unknown surrounding you. It’s a unique take on the horror genre, particularly as it delved into a patriarchal society and how this family comprised of women handled themselves, it just had too many unanswered questions.
