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Fantasia 2020: Neil Marshall’s ‘The Reckoning’ is Frighteningly Familiar

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The Reckoning

Neil Marshall’s The Reckoning is accidentally one of the most timely films to come out of 2020. Though it was filmed well before COVID-19 shook the world, it’s set in 1665, right in the midst of the bubonic plague and Europe’s witch hunts. Based on (obviously) true events, the film uses chaotic hatred and fear to tell a vengeful tale that still hits close to home.  

In the film, Grace Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk) is mourning the all-too-recent death of her husband, Joseph (Joe Anderson). Stuck raising their infant daughter on her own (during a deadly pandemic) she is soon visited by her landlord, Squire Pendleton (Steve Waddington), who demands rent despite her delicate living situation. When she spurns his grossly inappropriate and wholly unwelcome advances for an alternative arrangement, he sparks the fires of suspicion amongst the townsfolk, now certain that she must be a witch. 

For those not familiar with the Malleus Maleficarum, one of the supposed signs of bewitchment was erotic temptation (and also impotence, but that’s a whole other story). That’s right, if you made a man horny, you were most likely a witch. Naturally, once Squire was denied that which he disgustingly believed he was owed, witchcraft was a natural accusation. Grace is taken and tortured for several days in an attempt to gain a confession for her supernatural sins. 

Anyone who has been paying attention during the last several months will notice parallels between the events of the film and what’s going on currently. Self-quarantining and rent freezing are uncomfortably relevant, and much of what makes the first half of the film so effective is this relatable recognition.

Again, The Reckoning was written and filmed long before COVID-19, but perhaps the film suffers from how timely it has unintentionally become. The plot shifts from the grim presence of the plague (complete with plague doctors decked out in fashionably terrifying skeletal masks) and over to the horrific torture of the witch hunts, and the transition is obvious (literally identified by a title card).

The plague is more of a plot device to get Grace into the hands of Britain’s most ruthless Witchfinder, which ends up dividing the film into two distinct acts. One half is a plague film, the other a witch hunt revenge tale. It seems like two films stitched together somewhere in the middle; the plague is acknowledged through the film — to varying degrees of relevance — but there’s no real payoff.

Were this to be released during any other pandemic-free time, this wouldn’t be noticeable, but because we’re suddenly so mindful of it, it becomes hard to let go. With today’s context, the minor details become major, the historical nuances hold more weight; when they’re set aside, it feels like an important element is dropped. 

For a film that is firmly focused on the atrocities committed by the Witchfinder, there’s surprisingly little torture. Obviously there’s a fine line between appropriately bloody and gratuitously gory, but The Reckoning seems to fall on the tamer side. Throughout all her trials and tribulations, Grace remains relatively glamorous. After dragging the leading ladies of The Descent through literal pools of blood and muck, it’s somewhat surprising to see such restraint from Marshall. 

That said, the technical elements are all there. Christopher Drake’s musical score has a powerful drive that pushes emotion and sets a stark, dark mood. Luke Bryant’s cinematography uses lighting and framing to build some beautiful shots. The practical effects are visceral. It’s undeniably a well made film. 

Medieval horror — as a whole — is a relatively stagnant subgenre and it’s admittedly hard to bring something new to the table. The Reckoning starts on a high (and, again, unintentionally on-the-nose) note, but there doesn’t seem to be enough escalation to make it stand out as spectacular. Marshall is a genre favourite for his work on modern horror classics The Descent and Dog Soldiers, so The Reckoning came with high expectations. But it feels a tad disjointed, with a passable yet overall underwhelming climax. 

It is a fairly effective film with solid performances and a thoughtfully constructed, historically relevant story that rings a bit too true at the present moment. But in the grander scheme of Marshall’s work, it may get left in isolation.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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