Synopsis
The Cursed, or Eight for Silver, is a horror film featuring folk tales, moral reckoning, and metamorphosis set in a specific period. Set in 19th century rural France, the film begins with a violent scene. Seamus Laurent, a wealthy land baron, orders the massacre of a Romani clan living on land which was disputed for a long time. A romani elder in response casts a curse over the land with a set of silver fangs, in the shape of a wolf, which promises to bring the land destruction.
After some time, the Laurent estate begins to show signs of strange happenings. Their children, Edward and Charlotte, are tortured with dreams featuring a gnarled figure of a scarecrow and silver fangs. Edward eventually vanishes after wandering into the woods and the village is gripped in panic with a spate of savagely brutal, beast-like murders.
A pathologist named John McBride is called to the village to carry out an investigation. As a supernatural and his own dark past weigh on his mind, he begins to unravel the mystery which in his mind is a curse in the form of turning its victims to beastly creatures. As the death toll rises and the blame game begins, McBride has to race for time to solve the mystery and stop the spread of destruction plaguing the area.
The opening and closing scenes of World War I highlight how the past continues to impact the present and the future. The audience is then left to ruminate on themes like guilt and the never-ending cycle of violence and the impact it leaves behind.
Cast & Crew
Director, Writer, Cinematographer: Sean Ellis
A film’s writer, director, and cinematographer all in one, Sean Ellis, brings to life his vision to the film ensuring a coherent and immersive tone as well as a blend of historic drama and supernatural horror.
Main Cast:
Boyd Holbrook acts as John McBride, a pathologist who analyzes the ‘abnormal events’ and reveals the hidden supernatural reality.
Kelly Reilly acts as Isabelle Laurent, wife of Seamus and mother to Edward and Charlotte, who is deeply disturbed by the lot of horror that is controlling the reality.
Alistair Petrie acts as Seamus Laurent, a cruel head of the family who is responsible for the curse.
Amelia Crouch as Charlotte Laurent, the emotionally deep daughter whose perspective enhances the narrative.
Max Mackintosh as Edward Laurent, the son who goes missing under mysterious circumstances, later becoming a focal point of the horror.
Roxane Duran as Anaïs, a woman from a Romani group who represents the suffering and vengeance that is captured in the curse.
Production & Release
The movie was shot in the rural parts of France and the UK, which included period structures and misty forests as the old-world backdrop. Ellis used 35mm film with wide aspect ratios to give the visuals a painterly and cinematic quality.
Production commenced in early 2020, with filming completing right before the pandemic’s onset. This led to a global halt on international film schedules. Sundance Film Festival showcased the movie in January 2021, and it was later retitled to The Cursed for its February 2022 Theatrical Release.
113 minutes was the final cut of the movie and earned it an R rating for strong violence and horror content.
Box Office & Reception
Overall the movie earned $5 Million, which in the grand scope of things was a lot. Though, the movie was art house and slash niche target. The availability for the movie out was art house cinemas and select streaming services, which explains the limited release.
The reviews were on the favorable side for the movie, as it’s rich atmosphere, striking cinematography and the blend of historical drama with horror was praised by many. While not extravagant, the transformation scenes and practical effects were praised for their realism and the tension.
Audiences had blended reactions to the film’s pacing and vague storytelling elements. Some people thought it was going to be just another monster flick but were taken aback by the film’s intricate structure and the focus on psychological fear.
Themes and Symbolism
Colonial Guilt and Historical Violence
The Cursed reflects the violence of colonialism and its aftermath. The massacre of the Romani people isn’t merely a horrific theatrical device. It’s a symbol for real violence that has always been inflicted by the strong on the weak. The curse that afflicts the Laurents is more than just supernatural. It’s also karmic. The past sins of the Laurents refuse to be ignored without suffering consequences.
Reinterpreting the Werewolf Myth
Although the film depicts characters that exhibit wolf-like features, the term “werewolf” is never mentioned. The accursed characters who undergo a transformation can be described as “predatory,” but the affliction is portrayed as more ancestral than mythical. The silver dentures represent ancestral blame and guilt and transform to become more than a werewolf-slaying device. They turn into a symbol of justice and vengeance.
The Curse as a Legacy
The narrative begins with a story from World War 1, indicating that the legacy of the curse still lingers in the present. This narrative shows how collective unresolved guilt, particularly in the context of violence, has the capacity to extend over many generations. The past isn’t truly gone; rather, it is hidden beneath the surface, patiently waiting to be released.
Atmosphere over action
The film relies on the atmosphere, which includes stillness, quiet tension, the slow build of the tension, and the imagery. The forests have a constant mist, homes have low candle light, and the pacing is very steady. The use of pacing draws as much focus to the story as gothic and period horror drama.
Director Sean Ellis is known for his unique craftsmanship, something which critics point out with natural light setpieces, longer scenes, and tangible practical effects— all of which breathe life into the film. The intertwining of folklore with genuine historical grievances is a brilliant move, showcasing the film’s creativity going beyond genre caps.
Final Thoughts
Overall The Cursed is a masterfully composed horror film that is wrought with sensations of melancholia. The film prioritizes a deep dive into the psychological aspects of guilt and morality, straying away from the conventional panicked thrills of horror. It brilliantly flips the age-old monstrosoid formula on its head by grounding it into a chilling tale entwined with guilt, colonialism, and generational trauma.
Although the narrative pace might be slow for some, it’s sure to reward calm, deliberate viewers through thematic and emotional richness alongside striking visuals. The horror transcends jagged fangs and monsternoid figures; it stems from decisions crafted by humans that bring those creatures to life.
The Cursed, a film that dares to be different in a world occupied by overtly formulaic horror flicks filled relentless jump scares, offers a more artistic and historical approach into the true horrors history leaves into our world.
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