The first thing to note about Marrowbone, the spooky, atmospheric first feature from The Orphanage writer Sergio G. Sánchez, is its cast. This thing boasts a dream cast, a who’s who of quirky, indie actors that, if you don’t already know and love them, you soon will. Most are talented Brits using their own accents for once and one (Anya Taylor-Joy) who, weirdly, isn’t.
The Marrowbone of the title refers to the surname a British family on the run adopts after fleeing to America from the violent husband and father at its head. Starting off as a sort of postcard, seaside prestige picture — the kind where you’d expect Saoirse Ronan to turn up as a love interest, staring forlornly into the horizon — the film quickly mutates into something darker and more sinister.
The first clue, naturally, is that cast of weirdos. Taylor-Joy, first off, is the love interest here. Her paramour is George Mackay, in his second oddball family outing following Captain Fantastic. There’s a creaky old house, a broken mirror, much talk of ghosts, and the question hanging heavily over the proceedings is whether this is olden times or a Village-like scenario? Can this family be trusted?
Is the Marrowbone household actually haunted? The ghosts of the past definitely loom large, though Sánchez wisely leaves it unclear for the most part. The scares are very subtle throughout, teased until the very last second. When they do come, though, they’re shocking, bone-chilling, stomach-turning.
The mystery elements are strong, too, and it’s possible to drift along with the film until its denouement (which is neither too neat nor entirely predictable) without being entirely sure of its destination, a luxury in this kind of paranormal thriller.
There is much to like and admire here, from the well-established locations (the film was shot in Spain) to the escalating family drama and the spooky feeling, employed so well and with the required amount of control. Marrowbone is an old-school chiller, a slow burn that luxuriates in its 100 minute run-time. It never overplays its hand.
The biggest selling point of the movie, though, is its performances. Mackay, Heaton, Goth, and Taylor-Joy are all on top form here, their weirdo energies bouncing off each other to brilliant effect. The trailer sells the flick on psychological scares and the familiar faces indie fans will have grown to love. The movie more than delivers on both.
WICKED RATING: 7/10
Director(s): Sergio G. Sánchez
Writer(s): Sergio G. Sánchez
Stars: George Mackay, Mia Goth, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton
Release date: April 13, 2018
Studio/ Production Co: Lionsgate International
Language: English
Length: 110 minutes
Subgenre: Paranormal
