‘The devil is in the detail,’ remarks one character in Matthew Goodhue’s accomplished psychological horror/thriller, and he’s right; horror is a genre that looks easy, but it takes a certain nous to make the chills land. Most genre entries settle for masks and gore, plus race and chase finales; it’s something of a novelty to see Woe, which very much feels like a quality indie drama with supernatural underpinnings. Comparisons can be made, but a huge plus here is originality; this tale of Woe feels fresh and dodges most of the expected genre clichés.
Grief is our jumping off point; Charlie (Adam Halferty) is fixing up the house of his late father, and has been for some time, but is haunted by a spectral, hooded figure. His sister Betty (Jessie Rabideau) has her suspicions about Charlie’s activities, but her Park Ranger boyfriend Benny (Ryan Kattner) seems more interested in his harmonica. Uncle Charlie (James Russo) warns Charlie about his father’s unknown legacy, but Charlie just can’t seem to stay away….
Woe is a serious film that touches on similar aspects to Ari Aster’s Hereditary; young people struggling with the legacy of the past, and their attempts to get out from under the shadow of their parents. That’s not to say that this is just a moody slow-burner; there is a confrontation, and a transformation, and this is a horror film for sure. But the careful characterisation of Charlie’s disintegration, and three-dimensional development for all the main characters makes for tense, involving scenes.; Charlie and Benny’s car trip and diner chat are particularly tense.
Goodhue has made several shorts with these actors, and it shows; Woe has far better performances than most low-budget films, and the always-great Russo is particularly memorable at the threatening, sinister uncle who seems to know what dark realm Charlie is getting into. With an unnerving sound design, and a willingness to tease the audience right up till the final scene, Woe is a strong feature debut for Goodhue and a cut above the usual horror genre clichés. If you want a fast, snarky, self-referential horror comic, steer clear, but Woe has plenty to wow the discerning horror fan.
Woe is out now on most US streaming outlets.
Thanks to Gravitas Ventures and Kamikaze Dogfight for access to this title.
Though I do expect to jump once or twice in a horror film, I can appreciate the more subtle additions to the genre and this feels like a sure candidate.
It’s got the dooms, but in the right way.
Also Nope.
Pfft
Happy Birthday Mr.Eminent!
Ay thank yew.
Another interesting one.
Wait a minute, was that an echo?
I have been reading your comments for some time. I’ll let you know if I read an interesting one.
Cheers. I like to stay up to date.
I was trying to find an appropriate “woe unto you” comment to lighten up the mood, but oddly enough, couldn’t think of any.
My favorite is “Woe unto you who do not like circus peanuts, for you are eschewing the very food of life and will suffer thusly” But there’s no mention or circuses in your review, or even of clowns. So I’m stymied.
O, woe is me, To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!
See, woes can really add a lot to the depth of your comment section. I recommend a good “Woe” conversation starter kit in every post.
What other kits do you have?
Let me check. Ok, I have a couple of spares of the following:
1) Blue Bottom Kit, for all your braveheart needs
2) A Bitch at Your Followers kit for when you’re feeling sulky
3) The Axe kit, comes with both a sharpened steel axe and a small travel size Axe body spray, for when you want to kill someone and smell good doing it
4) A Frenetic Kit, for when you just have to write something but don’t care what (energy drink, sugar cereal and haggis pizza included)
I’m fresh out of everything else, sorry.
Sigh. I am trying to do nothing but bring sweetness and light into your life.
But this is a movie about Woes.
You should have said you wanted some Happy Kits.
We’re fresh out. Sorry. All you get is Woes 😉
I never promised you a Woes garden!
Just shoot me, please. Nobody deserves this kind of misery, not even me!
Woes by any other name would not smell so sweet.
Ok, yep, I’m dead and gone to hell.
Man, good thing it’s your b-day so we let you get away with this stuff.