Greetings again from the darkness. Karen Dionne’s 2017 bestselling novel is the source of this film from director Neil Burger (THE ILLUSIONIST, 2006), and it has been adapted for the screen by co-writers Elle Smith and Mark L Smith (THE REVENANT, 2015). Having not read the book, I am unable to offer a comparison, however, it’s probable that the film moves at a faster pace and that the book fills in much detail that the two-hour runtime is forced to skip over. Typically, neither of this would result in an improvement, yet the performances are strong enough to generate enough tension and suspense to satisfy most viewers (if not the book’s fans).
Opening with some very cool shots through the marshlands, the story takes us deep in the forest as a father (Ben Mendelsohn) teaches survival skills to his 10-year-old daughter, Helena, played by Brooklynn Prince who was so memorable in THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017). One of the lessons ends with the father proclaiming, “You must always protect your family.” Yes, it’s about as obvious as foreshadowing can get. There is a level of creepiness to the off-the-grid cabin living of Jacob, his daughter Helena, and Helena’s mother (Caren Pistorius, SLOW WEST), and once we realize the situation, it leaves us wishing we had experienced a bit more of the misery and fear that will ultimately determine the future of these three people (plus some others). In other words, the film shoots through this first act a bit too quickly.
We then flash forward twenty or so years, and find a grown-up Helena (Daisy Ridley) married to Stephen (Garrett Hedlund, MUDBOUND) living a comfortable suburban life as they raise their young daughter Marigold (Joey Carson). Helena has chosen not to tell Stephen her past, and that secret comes crashing down when her father Jacob (known as The Marsh King) escapes from prison and comes looking for her. Father and daughter reunite at the old cabin in the woods, and things go a bit bonkers; however, that earlier foreshadowing comes into play, and Helena finds herself utilizing those early daddy lessons against that same daddy.
Daisy Ridley has the physicality required to pull off this role and her resemblance to young Brooklynn Prince is uncanny. Mendelsohn is, as always, a menacing presence using subtle movements and that remarkable voice. A supporting nod goes to Gil Birmingham (HELL OR HIGH WATER, 2016) for a key role as well. At its best, the film (and I assume the book as well) captures the sometimes remarkable contrast between childhood perspective and that of a grownup. We can only hope that for most folks, it’s not similar to that of Helena.
Opening in theaters on November 3, 2023
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 