Eva (Odessa Young), a 19th-century widow is tasked with making an impossible choice when, in the middle of an especially cruel winter, a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing post. Eva and her crew must choose to either rescue the shipwrecked or survive the winter with their last remaining food. Facing the consequences of their choice and tormented by their guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.
REVIEW:
”“The Damned,” directed by Thordur Palsson, is a psychological horror film set against the harsh, icy backdrop of Iceland’s Westfjords in the late 1800s. The movie follows a group of fishermen who face a moral dilemma after a shipwreck leaves them with the choice of saving the stranded sailors or preserving their own dwindling resources..
The film excels in creating a chilling atmosphere, with stunning cinematography that captures the stark beauty and unforgiving nature of the Icelandic landscape. The cold, desolate setting adds to the tension and sense of dread that permeates the film. Odessa Young delivers a compelling performance as Eva, a young widow who must navigate the harsh realities of survival and leadership in a male-dominated world.
While the film’s slow pace and focus on psychological horror may not appeal to everyone, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the consequences of our choices. The ending, though somewhat predictable, still manages to deliver a satisfying twist that ties the story together.
Overall, “The Damned” is a visually stunning and emotionally gripping film that will leave you pondering the moral complexities of survival long after the credits roll. If you enjoy atmospheric horror with a strong narrative, this film is worth a watch.
Rating: B+ or 3.5/5.
CREDITS:
Directed by
Thordur Palsson
Screenplay by
Jamie Hannigan
Story by
Thordur Palsson
Produced by
- Emilie Jouffroy
- Kamilla Hodol
- John Keville
- Conor Barry
- Tim Headington
- Theresa Steele Page
- Nate Kamiya
Starring
- Odessa Young
- Joe Cole
- Siobhan Finneran
- Rory McCann
- Turlough Convery
- Lewis Gribben
- Francis Magee
- Mícheál Óg Lane
Cinematography
Eli Arenson
Edited by
- Tony Cranstoun
- Nathan Nugent
Music by
Production
companies
- Elation Pictures
- Netop Films
- Wild Atlantic Pictures
- Ley Line Entertainment
Distributed by
Release dates
- June 6, 2024(Tribeca)
- January 3, 2025(United States)
Running time
89 minutes
Countries
United Kingdom
Iceland
Ireland
Belgium
United States
Language
English
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