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TIFF Review: ‘The Wind’ Howls as an Atmospheric, Sinister Horror-Western

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the wind review TIFF

Directed by Emma Tammi, The Wind is a grim, atmospheric study of a desolate environment that hides a dark secret.

The script was developed from true first-hand accounts of frontier women who settled in the prairies and were driven mad by the unrelenting howl of the wind. Written by Teresa Sutherland, the plot explores this madness through a dark supernatural influence as the characters panic about what evils could be moving through the dark nights.

Set in the 1800s, the story is told in a non-linear structure, meaning that the viewer jumps through the timeline to understand how the story unfolds, giving depth and significance to each character’s emotional state.

via IMDb

We follow Lizzy (Caitlin Gerard, Insidious: The Last Key), a young woman who is thrilled to see new “neighbours” move in to a nearby cabin. Across the vast field, their home is visible as just a flicker of light through the dark of night. Lizzy and her husband do their best to make the new couple feel welcome, but the new resident’s young wife, Emma (Julia Goldani Telles, Slender Man), struggles to adjust from her previous life in the city. The longer they stay, the stranger Emma’s actions become as she is convinced that an evil entity is after her. When Lizzy’s husband must leave home for a several-day-on-horseback journey, she starts to question her own comfort and safety in this oppressive isolation.

The film revels in its atmosphere – a bleak, hopeless tundra with no help in sight. Lizzy is our guide and unreliable narrator through the story. We stick to her side through the whole film, moving through the daily motions of necessary chores and feeling her terror as she faces each night alone.

Written, directed, edited, and designed by women, the relevance of lines of dialogue like “Don’t be unpleasant in front of the men” are not lost on the audience. This idea of the “hysterical woman” is communicated with an appropriate weight.

via TIFF

For a film that focuses on the madness supposedly caused by an unyielding wind, the sound design is obviously extremely important. The Wind utilizes silence in a way that pushes the plot forward, and it’s stunning. The opening sequence is completely silent – save for the constant howling of the wind – and it immediately sets a taut, unsettling tone.

Despite the limited dialogue, we gain a complete understanding of each character. In true pioneer fashion, it’s an economical script that doesn’t mince words. Every line of communication is direct and to-the-point.

The silence of the film envelops Lizzy and builds a deafening claustrophobia, where every spare inch is filled by that constant wind. It’s so powerful that in the extremely rare occurrences where the wind is not present, it’s a bit of a shock to the senses.

A driving score was composed for the film by Ben Lovett (The Ritual) using period instruments like the nyckelharpa to produce an earthly, haunting sound that plays on a base instinct we’ve long since forgotten.

Because of the tension that’s tightly coiled by the sound design, any sudden releases are sincerely frightening. There were a few moments in the TIFF screening where the whole audience physically jumped (a genuine response that I haven’t witnessed in a long time).

via TIFF

The Wind places the focus on the experiences of women in a period when their stories aren’t often told. Westerns typically focus on a glorified version of a man’s work, promptly ignoring the struggles that went into the development of land and maintenance of a household. It acts as a humbling look at the lifestyle and dangers of pioneer life in the prairies, and the fears that ran wild in such an unrestrained environment.

The non-linear storytelling can be a bit clunky at times, but it’s a necessary function in revealing the full story. Overall, The Wind is a quiet, twisting, thrilling horror-western that settles under your skin and prickles your senses.

 

The Wind will be playing next as part of Fantastic Fest’s 2018 lineup.

via IMDb

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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