Thursday, April 28, 2011
Michael Allen
Director: David Keating.
Writers: David Keating, and Brendan McCarthy.
Wake Wood is the latest horror production from the United Kingdom based Hammer Films. Irish director David Keating shows his knowledge of Pagan folklore, with fellow writer Brendan McCarthy weaving a tale of demonic murder. Released in the UK March 28th, Wake Wood creates its thrills by introducing a set of Pagan rules: those dead for a year can be returned for three days. Except, characters Louise (Eva Birthistle) and Patrick (Aidan Gillen) are too grief stricken to obey the laws of nature, nor the rules of witchy townsfolk. The result is bedlam.
While trying to avoid too many spoilers, the married couple mentioned above break one of the cardinal rules of Wake Wood, after they lose their daughter in a freak animal attack. The resulting fourty-five minutes involves the citizens of Wake Wood attempting to track down a murderous little girl. You have seen killing kids before, but here, one girl has brought back a demon with her, from the afterlife. Apparently, lying has its consequences.
Also apparent is the demon's contempt for humanity and the local wildlife. This is not an overly gory piece; however, some of the Pagan cult's followers find the wrong end of an arrow, or a cleaver. Soon, viewers might find themselves shouting at the screen: "just bury her back under the earth." Demons are clever, though and Wake Wood shows some similarities to another demonic child from The Omen, named Damien Thorn (Harvey Stephens). The problems caused by the supernatural are not easily undone.
One of the interesting film elements of Wake Wood is how one lie can then spiral into further and further murder. Like a steam roller, Patrick sees more and more death, while he plots having a child from a recently deceased wife. Once the demon is released it is really hard to put it back into the box. As well, demonic children are surely more curse than blessing.
This is an independent film, shot in Ireland and while Wake Wood is not often scary, the film is an interesting look at fictional Pagan mythology and the consequences of breaking supernatural rules. The rules conjured up by filmmakers David Keating, and Brendan McCarthy create the tension, from which a child is free to roam and to murder. The results are unnatural and for viewers full of I-told-you-so moments.
Photography/composition/lighting: 7 (all of the production looks professional).
Acting/believability/characters: 7.5 (well acted, good casting).
Writing/story/plot: 8 (unique, a few twists).
Overall: 7.5 out of 10.
The film's homepage is here:
Wake Wood's Official Website
Available now through Amazon UK (Region 2):
Wake Wood at Amazon (UK)
Or in North America July, 2011:
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
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Posted in: 2011,children,david keating,eva birthistle,movie review,murder,pagan,pagan worship,wake wood
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