Starve Acre (2024) - Film Review

      Starve Acre, 2024.

      Written and Directed by Daniel Kokotajlo.

      Featuring Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark, Erin Richards, Sean Gilder, Robert Emms, and Roger Barclay.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The peaceful rural life of a couple is disrupted when their son begins to behave oddly. Set in Yorkshire during the 1970s, Daniel Kokotajlo's Starve Acre (adapted from Andrew Michael Hurley's novel) evokes the mood of a 70s horror film, characterized by grainy visuals and a chilling atmosphere that seems to emanate from the screen. From the outset, Kokotajlo and cinematographer Adam Scarth convey the expansive nature of the manor and the surrounding area called Starve Acre, which is associated with the supernatural powers of a folkloric, possibly demonic, ancient tree. Various wide-angle shots reveal the seemingly endless landscape, enhancing the sense of dread and raising questions about how much of this land may be cursed for those who delve into its past.

      The strained relationship between Richard and Juliette (played by Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark, who both deliver subtle, weary performances that anchor the supernatural elements in genuine emotions and conflicts) leads them to explore this legend involving a family sacrifice linked to the tree, each for different reasons. Their troubled young son Owen (Arthur Shaw) is also intrigued by these stories, although it's ambiguous whether his interest stems from his own curiosity or from Gordon (Sean Gilder), an elderly villager who shares such mythological narratives.

      Given that Owen exhibits violent tendencies, including a scene in which he gouges an animal's eye while left alone early in the film, it's clear that, to quote the well-known cartoon character Hank Hill, something is off with the boy. Richard, however, somewhat dismisses this, not because he genuinely believes Owen is fine but as a way to avoid becoming like his abusive father, who also had an obsessive fixation on this demonic folklore. Eventually, tragedy strikes, and the plot unfolds, surely drawing inspiration from a classic in the genre and possibly from more contemporary interpretations of similar themes.

      Juliette’s sister Harrie (Erin Richards) comes to visit, hoping to assist her, but finds herself uncertain about the occult practices being explored to cope with grief. Meanwhile, Richard delves deeper into the local lore and his father's research, ultimately uncovering the land's mysterious power. Without divulging specifics, this dark form of magic alters their lives, capable of mending their relationship while simultaneously leading them towards unsettling, irreversible actions. The primary performances convey the same eerie quality as the narrative, complemented by Matthew Herbert's haunting score, which is immersive yet never overbearing, enhancing the unsettling tension throughout. Discussing the plot in vague terms is essential, as it remains perplexing until suspicions are ultimately validated.

      Starve Acre effectively tells a haunting story of grief, but some of the unsettling tension might dissipate if viewers were fully aware of the direction it takes, which in itself is a remarkable achievement given its familiar narrative elements. The suspense builds gradually, with a leisurely, artsy approach that could perhaps have more intensity, but it culminates in a shocking climax that is likely to be memorable for its violence, dark themes, and taboo imagery.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Visit here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or contact me via email at [email protected]