On Sunday, my husband and I treated ourselves to a horror movie double feature at our local theater. This delightful double feature included The Cursed, a moody new werewolf movie released February 18th, 2022. I had steered clear of any reviews or information on the film (save for the trailer) and was excited to see what this original story had to offer. The movie’s trailer does a fantastic job of leaving you with lots of questions that need answers. So, with my carton of cabernet sauvignon I snuck in along with some boxed candy, we cozied up in our seats for the show.
Synopsis
We enter a 19th-century French village under the leadership of Seamus Laurent, played by Alistair Petrie, and various other talking heads. The village becomes the target of supernatural forces after their soldiers attack a peaceful settlement. As a fog of greed engulfs their leaders, residents find themselves the sitting prey of a ruthless and elusive monster. This strange beast stalks the village, picking off victims one by one. The Laurent family struggles to confront their role in the tragic events. And, the complicity of the rich and powerful comes with a huge price to pay.
Meat of the Matter
What The Cursed has going for it from the start is writer-director Sean Ellis’ attention to atmosphere and tension building. The movie itself is presented in a gloomy, gray overcast which clues the audience in on tone as soon as they enter the story. With coinciding costuming choices by Madeline Fontaine, the washed-out actors seem to blend with their surroundings. Consumed by their station, they are unable to escape the dread which seeps into the village.
It is this absence of color that makes one particular scene of a raging fire much more potent. As the red-orange flames leap and dance across the drab backdrop, the audience is dazzled and stunned by its brilliant display of power. We are reminded that no matter our lot in life, we are all powerless to the will of nature. The fog and smoke swirl and choke these families in unison with the beast which uses this as cover, the beast itself being an overt metaphor for greed.
Ellis succeeds in giving us a fresh interpretation of werewolf lore while delivering a werewolf movie steeped in classic tropes like the torch-wielding angry mob and heroes armed with silver bullets. This refreshing original story is paired with wonderful performances from all involved. That said, I must express especially immense praise to Kelly Reilly who plays the role of Isabelle Laurent. Reilly exquisitely embodies the role of a distraught and fierce mother. It is her scenes that stick with me the most following my viewing. She gives Isabelle depth and simultaneously exposes her frailty and strength.
Rotten Flesh
With all The Cursed has going for it, it is not without its flaws. The largest disappointment I have with this film is its dependency on racial stereotypes. Ellis attempts to use the slaughter of a nomadic tribe to villainize the white men in power. But, throughout the rest of the film, it is these same victims who become the “monsters” as they are who set a supposed curse in motion. The ‘gypsy’ people casting curses is a tired racist trope we need to retire.
Another small peeve my husband and I found concerns the character of John McBride, portrayed by actor Boyd Holbrook. He often references his experience with the Beast of Gévaudan, a true story of creatures plaguing a French province between 1764 and 1767. In his character-driven moments, we learn more about McBride’s battle with the historic Beast. This means that if McBride had truly faced the Beast of Gévaudan, he would be well over a century old during the events of The Cursed. This simple oversight makes the storyline drastically inaccurate.
Ellis also utilizes a narration framework in the opening and end scenes which are ultimately just dressing to the plot. These inclusions are not in and of themselves bad additions, they are simply decorative in my view, tacking on unnecessary minutes to the film’s runtime.
Who Is This Movie For?
I would recommend The Cursed to fans of monster movies, especially werewolf enthusiasts. This movie is for those who are drawn to films of directors like Robert Eggers. If you appreciate a period horror or atmospheric terror in lieu of fast-paced jump scares, The Cursed is a great pick. There is heavy violence and blood throughout. Though, it is posed in such a way that I would say this horror movie is rather approachable for those just entering the genre.
Something to Chew On
In this obvious attempt to emulate the success of horror movies like The Witch (2015), The Cursed presents as a better film. Just shy of two hours in length, there is faster movement throughout and more substance to The Cursed than its counterparts. Sean Ellis’ script allows multiple characters the depth and empathetic flaws they deserve.
This is a story-rich monster flick which is a rare treat. Although the attempts at sharper social statements are clumsy, the intention and heart are still evident. You can almost forgive the heavy stereotypes depicting nomadic peoples. Almost. The Cursed is an enjoyable watch but it is not without its issues. I would give this entry into the werewolf canon a generous three stars out of five.
Have you seen The Cursed? What are your thoughts on this latest horror movie? Share them below! I would love to get your take. Want more horror movie recommendations? Check out my list of Must-See International Horror Movies.
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