While slasher films never seem to go out of style and creature features are constantly getting fresh updates, one type of horror movie appears to be playing it relatively low-key in the 21st century. Gothic horror stories typically involve more classical elements of the genre, relying more on an atmosphere of dread, as well as more thematic elements, to drive their story.
The latest film from writer/director Sean Ellis, The Cursed, is a perfect example of gothic horror. Set in the French countryside in the late 19th century, the movie establishes itself early on as a dark morality tale, one focused on sin and punishment as much as it is blood and monsters (werewolves in this case, but not the kind most people may be accustomed to). Though it sometimes fails to keep its story moving forward at a consistent pace, The Cursed makes up for it with some solid performances, visceral practical effects, and excellent cinematography.
The story is technically told in flashback, owing to a modern-day recreation of the First World War that opens the film (making The Cursed the second movie in 2021 to do so after Kenneth Branagh's Death On The Nile). However, this has little bearing on the plot besides setting up the main thematic element: silver. The metal serves both as a plot device and as a metaphor for greed. Ellis makes the intelligent choice to frame silver as representing weakness for monsters and men.
Before the story gets to the aforementioned supernatural monsters, it must first introduce more familiar ones. After a band of settlers lays a rightful claim to a parcel of land near a growing settlement, a group of wealthy landowners makes the decision to drive them away by force. This early sequence of unrelenting violence is played out in an extreme long shot, seeming to signify the emotionless distance these men feel toward their victims.
This is, as with any supernatural curse, where the trouble begins. The children of the settlement are soon plagued with nightmares involving a scarecrow (created in one of the film's more harrowing scenes) and a set of sharpened teeth made from silver. After the son of the wealthiest landowner is bitten with them, he becomes seriously ill before disappearing. This is when the attacks begin.
One of the more questionable story choices in The Cursed is waiting so long to bring in the ostensible protagonist, a pathologist played by Logan's Boyd Holbrook, who is asked to help find the missing boy and eliminate the animal that is attacking people. Holbrook does an impressive job in contrasting the more stifled community with his directness and open personality, even if he can't always nail his English accent. However, his character never feels fully developed, and having him arrive so late in the story denies the opportunity to give him a full arc.
Unlike the unassuming families of the settlement, the pathologist seems to know exactly what is behind the attacks before he even arrives. The Cursed doesn't hide that it is a story about werewolves, but rather than the typical dog-like monsters that horror fans may expect, these monsters are far more hideous, though they are often only seen in brief glimpses. They also don't change during the full moon, instead staying in their monstrous form permanently. There are no transformation sequences to rival the likes of An American Werewolf In London, but the process of humans becoming these creatures implies pain and terror. One late scene in the film utilizes some impressively gross effects to show exactly what happens to the people who are afflicted with this curse.
Ultimately, though, The Cursed is a story of greed. The titular affliction is brought on the settlement by men who believe land should belong to them, despite a rightful claim by the people living there. In addition, the story of Judas and the 30 pieces of silver he receives for betraying Jesus plays a significant part in the narrative. It may feel a bit on the nose at times, but ultimately these elements add to the narrative rather than distract from it. They also reframe a classic werewolf weakness as, to paraphrase Homer Simpson, both the cause of and solution to the settlement's problems.
The look of the movie is pure gothic horror. The French countryside is almost plagued with an overcast sky, the sun almost struggling to break through. Ellis also handled cinematography duties, and clearly wanted the lighting to match the mood of the story. From the muted interiors to the almost colorless landscapes, the look of the film itself is imbued with dread. This also helps the moments of violence to land much harder, as flashes of bright red blood cut through the more subdued palette.
At nearly two hours long, The Cursed can't quite outrun its pacing issues. While this is the type of story that can be told in a more measured manner, there aren't always enough scenes of horror or action to break up some of the longer, quieter stretches. That being said, when those scenes arrive, they hit particularly hard. The nightmare sequences, in particular, are deeply unsettling, and actually convey that surreal feeling that dreams often have. Unfortunately, replaying the same nightmare shared by multiple characters sometimes drags down the first act, even if they are impressive.
The Cursed isn't the type of horror movie that will pack audiences into cinemas like something more mainstream and digestible, but it is definitely an effective piece of filmmaking. Ellis puts a lot of attention to detail in every frame, and takes his time telling this more thematic tale of classic horror monsters. While that may slow things down on occasion, ultimately The Cursed is a solidly entertaining watch for horror aficionados and a novel twist on werewolf mythology.
The Cursed
The Cursed is a supernatural horror film directed by Sean Ellis. Set in the late 19th century, it revolves around a rural village grappling with a mysterious and malevolent presence that brings terror to its inhabitants. Boyd Holbrook stars as John McBride, a pathologist investigating the ominous occurrences that plague the community. The film delves into themes of folklore and fear, offering a chilling depiction of an ancient curse that resurfaces with deadly consequences.