Starring George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Kyle Soller, Mia Goth

Directed by Sergio G. Sanchez

Universal, in cinemas now

 

A young family return to their mother’s ancestral home to escape from their abusive father, but the property harbours deep secrets and refuses to let go of the past.

Saddled with one of the most bizarre movie titles of recent years, Sergio G Sanchez’ (The Orphanage) first theatrical release as a director is a curious beast that ultimately is less of a horror movie, and more of a psychologist family drama in the spirit of Flowers in the Attic. Unfortunately, the supernatural aspects are really dialled up in the trailer, teasing would-be cinema goers into thinking they’re getting something along the lines of The Conjuring, whereas this is nothing of the sort.

I hesitate to say this (it sounds like faint praise) but this is a horror movie best suited to those who don’t want to be terrified and would prefer a mild spooking. The writer/director is aiming for something in the realm of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw, and certainly a number of tropes are carried across from that source and other gothic horror movies. Set in 1969 rural America, it’s clearly been filmed in the Spanish countryside, though the supporting cast do what they can to Americanise it. I’m loathe to identify other movies that this film owes a debt to, as that would be too spoilerific but it does certainly sit comfortably in the ‘relative locked away in the attic’ sub-genre (Jane Eyre, The Shuttered Room).

Where the film does succeed is in its performances. George MacKay (11/22/63) is excellent as the elder sibling Jack, trying to keep things together as his mother’s health worsens, and he’s ably supported by Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch) as neighbour Ellie, Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as his brother Billy and Mia Goth (upcoming Suspiria remake) as sister Sara. The only performance that didn’t ring true was Poldark’s Kyle Soller as the corrupt businessman who feels as if he has been ripped a little too literally from the pages of Brontë.

Verdict: Well-made drama with engaging performances and a strong narrative. Unfortunately, we’ve seen all it all before (and better) and once again it’s not the movie it’s been sold as, which will inevitably lead to public dissatisfaction. 6/10

Nick Joy

Click here to read Brian J. Robb’s mini-review from the EIFF screening