In the, devilish, spirit of The Hallow and The Hole in the Ground comes Irish folk horror Mandrake .
Lisburn-born Lynne Davison makes her feature-length flick debut, teaming up with Matt Harvey whose miniscule CV includes penning an episode of Taggart .
However, don’t let the inexperience behind the camera put you off - Mandrake is an accomplished modern horror drenched in ancient beliefs and witchcraft.
Deirdre Mullins plays probation officer Cathy who is tasked with rehabilitating notorious killer Mary Laidlaw (Derbhle Crotty) back into society following her two-decades in prison.
But when mysterious and deadly events occur, suspicion quickly falls on Mary , forcing Cathy between angry locals and her potentially eternally evil offender.
Most of the locations used by Davison are muddy, dark and bleak which helps build the tension and makes the surroundings feel uninhabitable.
Be warned, there are a few harrowing moments involving children as the creepy folklore created by Harvey doesn’t care about the age, gender or personality of anyone it gathers into its clutches.
Mullins’ Cathy leads a troubled life with a tough, thankless job and a son who has started to call his stepmother “mum”.
The Man Down star is excellent in the weary, selfless lead role that takes her from testing places to the stuff of nightmares.
Crotty is a sinister and scary presence despite not saying too much or initially doing anything physical beyond smoking in the dark.
Harvey’s script is slightly too ambitious, though, with confusing moments and an ambiguous final scene that will annoy some viewers.
Mandrake isn’t a complete home-run for its director and writer, then, but the promise both show with their gritty, intense movie bow is magic enough to ward off evil entities.
● Are there any new horror movies you have enjoyed recently?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any other movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
Polly Maguire said: “Give Warrior Nun on Netflix a go; it’s brilliant!”
● Mandrake is streaming on Shudder now.
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