- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
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4 out of 5
Director Christopher Smith (Severance, Triangle) delivers a superior interpretation of medieval history and superstition in this thought-provoking horror. In 1348, knight Sean Bean and his mercenary band of torturers are sent by the church to investigate rumours that necromancy is holding the plague at bay in a remote rural community. Their guide is a conflicted monk (Eddie Redmayne, giving a hugely affecting performance) who's put to the ultimate test by a playful sorceress (Carice van Houten) who seems to have the power to raise the dead. Smith's film is a frightening journey into the social fabric of evil, religious persecution, pathological cruelty and supernatural possibility. With analogies deftly drawn to contemporary issues and the tone kept purposely insidious, the intensity builds to a transfixing finale that invites comparison to 1968 cult classic Witchfinder General in its shock value.
Plot Summary
Horror mystery starring Sean Bean and Eddie Redmayne. Medieval England is in the grip of the plague, so when it comes to light that a remote community has been left mysteriously untouched by the pestilence, a young monk and a band of mercenary knights are sent to investigate whether witchcraft is responsible.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Ulric
- Sean Bean
- Osmund
- Eddie Redmayne
- Abbot
- David Warner
- Langiva
- Carice van Houten
- Wolfstan
- John Lynch
- Hob
- Tim McInnerny
- Dalywag
- Andy Nyman
- Mold
- Johnny Harris
- Averill
- Kimberley Nixon
- Swire
- Emun Elliott
- Ivo
- Tygo Gernandt
- Griff
- Jamie Ballard
Crew
- Director
- Christopher Smith
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