Sadness is never a simple emotion, but in hungry placeRichard (Matt Smith) and Juliette (Morfydd Clark) find their surroundings complicating the process. Their farmhouse – ground zero of Richard’s troubled childhood – sits beside a field steeped in sinister local folklore, and it’s clear that the legends of the past haven’t finished weaving new ones.
Folk horror has always been a popular genre, and for good reason, and hungry place Great use of some of the most reliable tropes. Although Richard grew up in the countryside and now lives with Juliette, the family had recently moved from a nearby city. There was already some tension in the marriage when tragedy struck; they grew further apart as they dealt with the terrifying new reality. She has the support of her sympathetic sister Harry (Erin Richards), who is passionate about archeology and has a treasure trove of artifacts lurking outside his front door. Richard’s investigation of the soil parallels his unearthing of his own past, particularly the diaries of his late father – a sadist with a similar interest in history, inspired by a harrowing fascination with the occult. Driven by obsession.
Hungry Land’There’s a fascination with ancient rituals – we learn that locals have long believed there was a literal “pagan portal into the spirit world” among them – and its 1970s setting infuses its atmosphere wicker man atmosphere. Although this folk horror classic is primarily about an outsider trying to navigate a culture he doesn’t understand, hungry place Think of Richard and Juliet as people who are absorbing the inheritance in a way that is both malevolent and nurturing. You worry about them…until you start to fear them.
Director Daniel Kokotaljo also adapted the script from acclaimed horror writer Andrew Michael Hurley’s 2019 book, enhancing hungry placeAdam Scarth’s gorgeous cinematography brings out deeply rooted natural themes, and Matthew Herbert’s score builds a tense atmosphere that eerily shifts between austere and sinister.
But the biggest attraction hungry place are its two protagonists: Matt Smith (Doctor Who) Season 2 is currently airing on HBO Dragon House as the capricious demon Targaryen; meanwhile, Morfydd Clark will soon return as Galadriel in Season 2 on Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power. It almost doesn’t feel like a stuntman, which is a testament to their skill as performers.
hungry place Releases in theaters and on demand on July 26.
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