In a remote region, a foreign fishing boat sinks within view of a fishing village where the leader, a widow, must decide if her people will go assist or stay safe on land.
Written Jamie Hannigan and Thordur Palsson, with the latter also directing, The Damned is a moody film that feels like a folk tale many times told from the start while also giving the viewers plenty of new elements to entertain and surprise them. The writing here uses the desolate winter location, the loneliness of the characters (even when together), and the weather to build a tense story of self-preservation, beliefs, and otherworldly spirits. The film and story built here very much feel like a folk tale, one filled with spooky elements, beautiful imagery, and general discomfort. The film is a slow, slow burn, but one that works rather well. The fact that the location is a large part of the story adds to it as it joins the well-written characters (as well as the few thin supporting ones).
The cast here is splendid with Odessa Young in the role of Eva, the widow with the fishing cabin and the hard decision to make. Young gives Eva life, and sadness, in how she interprets the characters on the screen, bring the plights of a widow to life beautifully, making her character one with depth and determination, one with vulnerability and courage, one who is intent on keeping her people safe while dealing with her own feelings. Joining her and giving as good a performance is Joe Cole as Daniel who brings a sort of balance at times and brings both strength and vulnerability. His performance is great to watch. Rounding out the main cast here and doing really well as well are Lewi Gribben as Jonas, Siobhan Finneran as Elga, Rory McCann as Ragnar, Francis Magee as as Skuli, Mícheál Óg Lane as Aron, and Turlough Convery as Hakon. The cast here is solid with many moments of great acting throughout the film and some strong performances in general.
The cinematography for The Damned is stunning while also somehow quiet. The images here are beautiful and sad, they feel cold, they feel desolate, while giving the story the backdrop to take place against. The use of light is deliberate and calculated while the framing is on point, showing exactly what needs to be while keeping some mystery when needed. The work by Eli Arenson (and team) here is beautiful, sad, and just right for the story. This cinematography here is exactly right and it turns the film into an almost immersive experience (especially on the big screen).
The Damned is a creepy slow burn film with a folk atmosphere and solid performances and cinematography. It’s the kind of film better watched in the dark, on the biggest screen possible, with the sound calibrated just right, and no distraction. It calls for attention and care with its crafting and writing, it calls for the viewer to get immersed completely while watching it. The scares here may be a bit light, but the heavy mood and the way things evolve make way for something much scarier and impactful than a few jumps scares here and there.