Daniel Kokotajlo mesmerizes audiences with his film adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley's book "Starve Acre." The film features extraordinary performances by Morfydd Clark and Michael Smith, who play a husband and wife whose son dies unexpectedly after they move into the father's family home, Starve Acre. Grieving and mourning, the husband consoles himself by digging up the roots of the family tree, while the wife seeks guidance for her son's death. The way they reunite will be discussed for ages in folk horror circles, as it blends classic folklore with the intensity of a well-crafted, slow-burning thriller. "Starve Acre" works.
"Starve Acre" unfolds like chapters in a book. Without reading the initial text, it's hard to say how closely the scenes follow the source material. Still, you can't help but be captivated by the cast and the intriguing lore surrounding the narrative. "Starve Acre" is one of the few films in the past year to truly embody the folk horror genre, blending setting and mood changes as the plot develops, all while maintaining a persistent feeling that something is not right.
It's a film that is difficult not to spoil because, without revealing the premise, the unsuspecting viewer has no idea what they are in for. This is why we attend films—the lure of surprise. We stay for the daunting task of a family dealing with the loss of a child. Matt Smith plays Richard, the father, who navigates wave after wave of emotion. He embodies the role, showing what most fathers might experience in such a situation: cruelty, distance, isolation. These are feelings we've all experienced, and both Smith and Clark capitalize on them. While both performances are incredible, Morfydd Clark devastates us with her portrayal of Juliette. She embodies the smart, caring wife and mother being put through the wringer, excelling in the role and leaving a striking, lasting impression.
The conclusion of "Starve Acre" is where the beauty of the film manifests. Like any well-thought-out narrative, how things play out gives substance to everything you've watched up to that point. There is no rushed dialogue to explain everything. That's not what lore is for. There should be some imagination, some terror—that's what makes a fantastic movie, no matter the genre.
3.5/5
Starve Acre
Written & Directed by: Daniel Kokotajlo
Starring: Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark
Produced by: Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Derrin Schlesinger, Emma Duffy
Based on the book by: Andrew Michael Hurly
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