Puffball

Puffball is a tense psychological thriller combining elements of magic realism that draw upon pagan and folkloric traditions from Britain. The 2007 film stars Kelly Reilly as the protagonist, alongside stellar performances by Miranda Richardson and Rita Tushingham.

The story begins with architects Liffey (played by Kelly Reilly) and Richard (Oscar Pearce) moving to a dilapidated cottage on the border between England and Ireland, near an ancient, ominous stone circle. Liffey, a talented architect, has plans to redesign the ruin into a contemporary dream home. This move to a remote location is symbolic of a fresh start, and the couple hope to push their stagnant careers forward while trying to start a family.

Pregnant with Richard's child, Liffey finds herself in the landscape steeped in mystery and often hostile in its wildness. Being alone as Richard usually needs to travel to the city for work, Liffey encounters a bunch of eccentric neighbours, particularly the mysterious Mabs (Miranda Richardson). Mabs, living with her mother Molly (Rita Tushingham) and her three daughters, is intrigued by Liffey. Concealing a deep secret and plagued by resentment for a past loss, Mabs dabbles into witchcraft and jealousy-led vengeance.

The film also explores the theme of superstition and the supernatural, wrapped around the central plot. Mabs fears she'll fail to conceive again due to the prevailing superstition that the power of the fertility stone, situated on Liffey's land, will pass on to the new female landowner. To protect her fertility, she resorts to an eerie mix of pagan and Christian folklore.

Miranda Richardson's portrayal of Mabs as an earthy woman wrestling with complex emotions such as jealousy, desperation, and retaliation, adds a unique layer of gravity and suspense to the film. Meanwhile, Kelly Reilly, with her delicate portrayal of the city-bred Liffey who transforms through her experiences in countryside, manifests a lasting contrast against the rugged rural backdrop.

Rita Tushingham delights with her brilliant representation of Molly, Mabs' mother, who embodies the confluence of the maternal instinct with supernatural elements, thus driving the narrative towards wreaking havoc on Liffey's life and pregnancy. The film plays out the psychological games between these formidable women.

Puffball is based on Fay Weldon's novel of the same name, and the adaption to screen is masterfully executed by director Nicolas Roeg. Renowned for his unorthodox narrative style and atmospheric horror, Roeg creates a haunting visual and narrative experience, making the rural landscape at once beautiful and menacing. The landscape plays a pivotal role in facilitating the supernatural and pagan elements, intensifying the dramatic tension throughout the film.

The cinematography by Nigel Willoughby successfully captures the eeriness and beauty of the rural setting, adding a narrative depth to the storyline. There is a deliberate move towards sharply contrasting visual symbolism reflecting mundane and otherworldly matters, urban sophistication versus primal instincts.

The supernatural elements are underpinned by moody lighting, atmospheric sounds and eerie symbols that hint at the unfolding of unforeseen circumstances that threaten the normalcy of life for Liffey and Richard. The transgressive element of a modern woman's intrusion into a traditional rural community, disturbed by the supernatural, presents an engrossing narrative tension.

Despite being deeply steeped in horror, Puffball also offers a complex exploration of motherhood, highlighting the extraordinary lengths that women might go to protect their offspring.

Puffball is a challenging movie that transcends the conventional boundaries of horror cinema, plunging into a world where the tangible and the esoteric blend seamlessly. It mesmerises with its lyrical narrative flow, dominated by compelling performances from the cast, haunting sequences, and an ever-present sense of dread laced with mystery in the overarching narrative fabric. This makes Puffball a must-watch for fans of psychological thriller and horror genres.