Soulmate

Soulmate is an intriguing drama-romance thriller that debuted in 2013, impelled by director Axelle Carolyn. A sincere and heartrending performance by the film's lead actress Anna Walton, variegated by the compelling acting of Tom Wisdom and Tanya Myers, makes this drama-rich plot utterly absorbing. The movie cradles you into a visual storytelling journey that is as intense as it is surreal, manifesting probably one of the most unique perspectives on love and loss and letting go.

The film kicks off with the portrayal of Audrey, an enchanted character played impressively by Anna Walton. Audrey is a woefully disheartened woman, tormented by the tragic loss of her beloved husband. As she treads upon a recovery path, Audrey makes a conscious decision to retreat from her urban life and finds solace in a secluded country house in Wales. It is in this isolated countryside serenity filled with stunning panoramas where most of the movie unfolds.

In her newly found tranquility, Audrey gradually finds the relationship she has forged with herself being disrupted by some inexplicable happenings around her new home. It doesn't take too long for the audience to realize that Audrey is not alone in the house and there is something uncanny about it. The curious incidents lead Audrey into unearthing hidden stories of the house - an endeavor that reveals the mysterious presence of a ghost, building the suspense element. The elusive ghost is aptly enacted by Tom Wisdom, whose diverse acting skills bring out the melancholy and romantic facet of the ghost with equal brilliance and unnerving uncanniness.

What starts as a scare progressively molds into an unusual friendship between Audrey and the ghost, marking heartwarming moments of communication and profound understanding. Their odd yet engaging bond creates an uncanny social circle that defies the boundaries of life and death. This idiosyncratic relationship brings out the best in both of them and even helps them to reconcile with their past.

In the midst of these other-world encounters, Audrey meets Theresa, a character wonderfully riveted by Tanya Myers. Theresa’s role brings a welcomed dynamism to the story as she maintains a delicate balance between the rational world and the surreal existence Audrey experiences. She is instrumental in eliciting layers of psychological realism to this film.

Meanwhile, the isolated Welsh setting contributes immensely to establishing the somber backdrop for the story to unfurl. Cinematographer Sara Deane does a commendable job of capturing the serene countryside landscapes. Combined with the mellifluous soundtrack, Deane's cinematography adds much-needed quietness and eeriness to the unconventional romantic tale of Soulmate.

All in all, Soulmate is a refreshing deviation from conventional portrayals of ghosts and supernatural interventions. It pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling and combines elements of romance, drama and suspense in a unique and appealing way. And while its first half is laden with thriving suspense, its second half is all about a heartrending exploration of human emotions and the eternal quest for closure and companionship. Admittedly, the seamless blending of diverse elements in Soulmate makes it worth watching. It might seem unhurried at moments or eerie at others, yet it holds an inherent charm and eerie elegance that is both unusual and captivating.

Soulmate is a film that implores the spectators to look beyond the bone-chilling fears associated with the afterlife. A melancholic love story that explores the emotional journey of its characters with an exquisite mix of suspense and pathos. It tells a riveting tale of longing and companionship, a tale which reminds us that closure comes in manifold ways, often in the ones we least expect, and that sometimes friendship transpires in the most mysterious of ways. This film is quite the layered emotional experience, attesting to the lengths people might go to ease their loneliness and find semblance or peace. If you love a unique mix of drama and mild supernatural elements, this film is for you.