‘Starve Acre’ (2024) Movie Review - A Combination of Grief and Horror

Another weekend means another horror movie. And so today we bring you Starve Acre directed and written by Daniel Kokotajlo based on the novel of the same name by Andrew Michael Hurley.  "Starve Acre" is a dark, atmospheric movie that blends elements of folk horror and psychological drama.

The story is centered around Richard and Juliette Willoughby, a couple living in a remote Starve Acre farmhouse in the Yorkshire countryside. They are grieving the sudden death of their five-year-old son, Ewan. Due to his own strained relationship with his father, Richard too shared a similar relationship with his son Ewan.

Richard, a historian, becomes obsessed with uncovering the history of the land surrounding their home, particularly an ancient oak tree that was once a site of local folklore and superstitions. He hopes that understanding the past will provide some solace and explanation for their current suffering. Juliette, on the other hand, becomes more depressed with the passing away of their son. In a way, we can say she becomes more withdrawn from the world and life at large.  She therefore turns inward, her grief manifesting in more mystical and unsettling ways. She begins to believe that Ewan's spirit is still present and seeks comfort in spiritualism and the supernatural.

As Richard digs deeper into the history of Starve Acre and the oak tree, he uncovers disturbing details about past events, including tales of violence and sacrifice. These discoveries, coupled with Juliette's growing belief in Ewan's presence, lead to a harrowing and ambiguous climax that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural.

The movie explores the couple's descent into their own forms of madness, driven by their grief and isolation. Richard's rationality is increasingly at odds with Juliette's spiritual beliefs, causing tension between them. The local community, steeped in old superstitions and folklore, adds to the eerie and foreboding atmosphere.

"Starve Acre" is a story about the depths of human grief, the search for meaning in the face of tragedy, and the haunting power of the past. It leaves readers with a lingering sense of unease and contemplation about the nature of loss and the boundaries of the natural and supernatural worlds.

In "Starve Acre," the performances by Matt Smith as Richard and Morfydd Clark as Juliette are truly exceptional, elevating the film with their nuanced portrayals. Both actors bring a profound depth to their characters, seamlessly conveying the intricate emotions required by the story. Matt Smith embodies Richard with a compelling blend of determination and vulnerability. His portrayal of a man driven by a desperate need to understand the past and find meaning in his son's death is both poignant and intense. Smith's ability to capture Richard's descent into obsession and madness is striking, showcasing his range as an actor. He masterfully balances Richard's rational facade with the underlying turmoil, making his character's journey relatable and haunting.

Morfydd Clark delivers an equally powerful performance as Juliette, capturing the raw, emotional core of a grieving mother. Clark's portrayal is deeply affecting, as she conveys Juliette's sorrow and her increasingly desperate belief in the supernatural with a delicate touch. Her transformation from a heartbroken woman to one consumed by spiritualism is portrayed with remarkable subtlety and authenticity. Clark's expressive acting brings a tangible sense of pain and longing to Juliette, making her descent into a more mystical and unsettling realm both believable and heartbreaking. Overall if you are a horror fan, this British horror is a must-watch.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times