North Circular Road

The 2015 Irish film, North Circular Road is a gripping and thought-provoking piece of cinema that delves into the unsettling realms of supernatural activity and psychological drama. The film weaves together elements of human emotion, supernatural phenomena and the inevitability of consequence to create a narrative filled with suspense, emotion, and intrigue.

Directed by the talented Donal Nugent, North Circular Road focuses on the lives of Janice (portrayed by Lorna Larkin) and Matthew Cadogan (played by Patrick O'Donnell), a seemingly perfect middle-class couple who decide to start a new chapter of their lives in Dublin's most prestigious residential area – the North Circular Road. Their life takes a significant turn after they move into their dream house – one that is later revealed to be a hub of paranormal activities.

Right from the start, the audience is introduced to Janice and Matthew's personal battles and their struggle to keep their marriage strong while trying to cope with their individual wounds and insecurities. The performances by Lorna Larkin and Patrick O'Donnell are laudable as they engage audiences in their journey of unraveling a deeper mystery and fighting unseen forces that seem to be tearing their lives apart. Both protagonists reveal their acting prowess, convincingly portraying the increasingly strained relationship of the troubled couple to perfection.

Pairing the couple's pre-existing marital strain and emotional turmoil with the unfolding horror of the supernatural creates a sense of brooding tension that pervades the entire narrative. This is further accentuated by Patrick J. Molloy's chilling portrayal of their spectral tormentor. While the film is categorized as a supernatural horror, it is more focused on human drama and the implications of cohabitating with ghosts than leaning into cheap jump scares.

The structure of the movie is designed to engage and disorient the audience. The film constantly shifts the audiences' assumptions about who is the victim and who is the tormentor in the story. This element of unexpectedness and the constant teetering on the brink of the unknown, along with the haunting music and dark cinematography, adds to the suspenseful atmosphere of the narrative.

The director explores themes of isolation, denial, regret and the fragility of relationships. The emotional depth provided by these underlying themes helps create a mesmerizing, yet haunting ambiance throughout the film. It navigates between harsh reality and supernatural intervention, ultimately challenging the audience to discern between the two.

The location of the film, the beautiful yet chillingly silent North Circular Road, adds another layer of intensity and complexity to the plot. The eerie empty streets and the historically significant, intimidating architecture of the house, make for a palpably eerie backdrop to the unfolding supernatural mystery at the heart of the storyline.

An unforgettable moment in the film has to be the introduction of Billy Roche as the wise and enigmatic priest, Fr O'Brien. Fr O'Brien brings a sense of calm and reason in the whirlpool of ever-mounting tension, his moments on screen providing subtle momentary relief from the suspense.

North Circular Road stands out for its compelling narrative, intelligent pacing and excellent performances. The director, Donal Nugent, has managed to create a mesmerizing concoction of supernatural suspense and emotional drama in sync with the potent performances of the main cast - Lorna Larkin, Patrick O'Donnell, and Patrick J Molloy, thereby aligning the real with the unreal, and fear with love.

In conclusion, North Circular Road is a supernatural suspense thriller that combines the intricacies of human relationships and personal demons with the daunting shadows of an enigmatic haunting. It offers viewers a fascinating glimpse into a world where not everything is as it seems, and where every moment is both a question and an answer.