Carmilla

A brooding and atmospheric independent film, Carmilla is a British drama movie which was first unveiled in 2019. This movie, captivatingly dark and surreal, breathes new life into a classic gothic tale, courtesy of director Emily Harris. The film boasts an all star cast, with the central trio being Hannah Rae, Devrim Lingnau, and Jessica Raine. Pulling off their roles with effortless finesse, their captivating performances serve as an excellent framework for this eerie narrative.

The narrative primarily revolves around a bright yet isolated 15-year old girl named Lara (Hannah Rae) who has her life turned upside down in the presence of a mysterious and exotic young woman. Lara’s mundane existence in an isolated manor amidst her strict governess (Jessica Raine) and her ill, bed-ridden father, is completely unsettled with the arrival of Carmilla (Devrim Lingnau). Carmilla, exuding enigmatic charm, arrives without any memory of her past after a carriage accident nearby to their estate. As Carmilla progressively integrates into their lives, Lara is coaxed out of her shell and begins to grapple with new, provocative feelings of fascination and attraction towards Carmilla, marked by the onset of her sexual awakening.

In Carmilla, director Emily Harris employs several directorial techniques to give immense depth to the narrative. Her storytelling, aided by commendable cinematography, is one driven by the elements of mystery, horror, and romance. The director’s ingenious employment of cryptic visual clues, eerie sound effects, and captivating dialogues weave a world that is as grim and terrifying as it is beautifully tragic.

The film also adeptly explores a range of themes, from the progression of female sexuality, to the challenges posed by isolation, to the enigmatic depths of the human soul. It's a slow-burning tale that prioritizes mood and atmosphere over traditional horror staples. There's no gunslinging vampire hunters or hulking monsters here. Instead, Carmilla revels in the delicate threads of tension that bind and entangle its lead characters.

Hannah Rae, known for her role in Broadchurch, is utterly convincing as a curious, naïve young girl on the brink of womanhood. Devrim Lingnau equally impresses as Carmilla, perfectly balancing the character's vulnerability and strength. Carmilla's allure is palpable, and Lingnau deftly brings forth her mystique, creating an enigmatic character whose motivations remain ambiguous throughout. If Carmilla is a tricky enigma, then Jessica Raine's domineering governess is a terrifying reality; Raine commands every scene she's in, presenting the quintessential specter of oppressive authority.

The richness of Carmilla’s mise-en-scene is in no way limited to its casting. The overall cinematography resonates with the brooding aura of sophisticated gothic visuals. With a majestic backdrop of sprawling fields, old-world interiors, and subtle superimpositions, the film portrays an artistically creative tableau of melancholic aesthetics. Powerful imagery such as a moth’s futile struggle against a windowpane or the ominous specter of an old painting enable the film to maintain its hauntingly minimalist tension till the end.

The film is further reinforced by an eerily beautiful and haunting score that complements the visual elements throughout, creating a splendid cornucopia of sensory experience that is sure to leave an impression on film enthusiasts.

Emily Harris’s Carmilla is certainly not your typical vampire movie. The 2019 film, based on the 1872 novella of the same name by Sheridan Le Fanu, is a lush, dreamlike exploration of the surreal and the macabre. Far from being confined to its source material, this film is a unique reinterpretation of the supernatural lore, presenting a meticulous exploration of human emotion, longing, and repression.

In essence, Carmilla is a masterful, gothic tale of self-discovery and forbidden love. With its hauntingly beautiful aesthetics and explorative narrative style, it offers a fresh outlook on the supernatural genre. Offering the perfect mix of tender, fiery, and tragic moments, Carmilla proves to be an intriguing cinematic experience that would appeal to those who relish subtly intense narratives.