IN THE DARK HALF is a low budget British horror movie all about mood and atmosphere; in terms of physicality, you don't really get to see anything as this isn't about the visceral or even concrete action. Instead it's a mood piece looking at how the death of a child affects the family members left behind. There are hints of a haunting and witchcraft, but most of all this is a psychological journey.
I really liked this film's direction and the visuals throughout are great; not many films put across rural life very well but the director does so here. Unfortunately I found the main actress, Jessica Barden, a bit disappointing as the lead character; she's limited to one expression throughout and that soon gets wearying. The reliable Tony Curran is very good, though, as the disturbed father, and it's nice to see ROME's Lyndsey Marshal in a contemporary role.
I really liked this film's direction and the visuals throughout are great; not many films put across rural life very well but the director does so here. Unfortunately I found the main actress, Jessica Barden, a bit disappointing as the lead character; she's limited to one expression throughout and that soon gets wearying. The reliable Tony Curran is very good, though, as the disturbed father, and it's nice to see ROME's Lyndsey Marshal in a contemporary role.