Writer: Corin Hardy, Felipe Marino (Screenplay)
Starring: Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic, Michael McElhatton, Gary Lydon, Stuart Graham
Plot: A family who moved into a remote mill house in Ireland finds themselves in a fight for survival with demonic creatures living in the woods.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Nice Little Creature Feature
Story: The Hallow starts as we follow couple Adam (Mawle), Clare (Novakovic) and their baby Finn move to a small Irish woodland house where Adam is being paid to value the forest that is up for sale but he discovered something never before seen while explore the area.
Not making themselves the most welcome Colm Donnelly (McElhatton) wants to confront Adam about his work as we learn the local people believe in the something known as ‘The Hallow’ roaming in the woods. When the couple come face to face with the creatures of the forest they must fight for their lives against an unkillable set of creatures.
The Hallow brings us a creature feature like story follow a new young couple getting attacked by unknown creatures, simple enough and that is ALL YOU NEED in a GOOD horror story. We don’t get an over complicated storyline which could easily have been a downfall for a film like this. There is enough mystery about the creatures helps too because we don’t need to be spoon feed the answers. I do think this was a good horror that really was a surprise because it is non-stop for the second half.
Actor Review
Joseph Mawle: Adam Hitchens is a tree doctor sent to Ireland to work out the value of a plot of land, he takes his family along with him where he discovers that something is roaming the woods. He must fight back against these creatures to save his family. Joseph gives a good performance in this lead role going through the transformation.
Bojana Novakovic: Clare Hitchens is the wife of Adam who had to convince him to leave when the first signs of trouble appear, she puts everything aside to try and protect her son. Bojana does a good job in this role being the one fighting for survival.
Michael McElhatton: Colm Donnelly is the man warning the family to leave for their own good, he once lost his own daughter in the woods and well that is all we learn about him. Michael is a character that isn’t too involved but has a few important scenes.
Support Cast: The Hallow doesn’t really have much of a supporting cast with the most part being the actors in the creature costumes.
Director Review: Corin Hardy – Corin could well be a name to look out for in horror after this one, showing he knows how to get the best out of the horror.
Horror: The Hallow uses the horror needed be it creature feature, atmospheric or suspense driven horror mixing them all well.
Settings: The Hallow uses the Irish countryside for the settings which works with both building isolation and local superstition.
Special Effects: The Hallow has great effects for the creature’s creation being used to chase down our family.
Suggestion: The Hallow is one for all the horror fans to watch and I think they will all be impressed. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: Creatures
Worst Part: Some people will not like the mystery about the creatures.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: Could have.
Post Credits Scene: Yeah early on.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Tagline: Nature has a dark side.
Overall: Horror Gem with creatures out of a mind filled with nightmares
Rating