The Damned

In order to make a good slow-burn horror movie, two things need to happen. First, the extended set-up – i.e. the part where “nothing happens” – has to hold the audience’s interest. Second, when the overt horror does come, it must unequivocally deliver the goods. The Damned accomplishes both of these requirements.

Set during the 19th century, the story focuses on Eve (Odessa Young), a widow left to lead her late husband’s fishing crew. The winter weather is brutal, making life at the fishing post difficult. When they see a shipwreck off in the distance, the group must decide whether to look for survivors or preserve their surplus of food, which will certainly dwindle even further should anyone be rescued. They make their choice, only to find bizarre occurrences taking place afterward. It seems to be a punishment from a supernatural source.

Director Thordur Palsson builds crucial atmosphere in the early scenes. We feel the remoteness of the post, the severity of the weather, and the weariness of the characters. The story, which he co-wrote with Jamie Hannigan, smartly includes one scene of abject terror during the first act, as Eve and crew probe the shipwreck. That has the impact of making additional scenes at the post ooze dread. There’s a moral quandary constantly hanging above everyone’s heads, and that provides tension even during what might otherwise be considered “talky” scenes.

As The Damned progresses, there are several instances of shocking violence and gore. Aside from being executed with great technical skill, they pack a huge punch. Whereas some horror flicks are gratuitous with the bloodshed, the use of it here underlines the movie’s themes. This is very much a work about whether we deserve to be punished for our sins, so when the fishermen are punished for theirs, the extreme nature of those punishments leaves us aghast. If ever a film could make you want to straighten up and fly right, this would be it.

Everyone in the cast does a commendable job of conveying fear, although there was room to flesh out some of the personalities a little more thoroughly. That aside, The Damned is most definitely a tale with the power to disturb. It quickly gets under your skin, then slowly, steadily begins to fray your nerves.


out of four

The Damned is rated R for bloody violent content, suicide, and some language. The running time is 1 hour and 29 minutes.


© 2024 Mike McGranaghan