The Banishing

The Banishing is a 2020 British horror-thriller film directed by Christopher Smith. Best known for his critically acclaimed horror films such as 'Creep' and 'Triangle', Smith ably conducts his signature atmospheric tension and psychological terror in The Banishing. The movie stars Jessica Brown Findlay, John Heffernan, and Anya McKenna-Bruce in pivotal roles, delivering powerful performances that help the plotline unfold in both an enthralling and eerie manner.

Set in the pre-World War II era around the 1930s, the film paints a haunting picture of a pastoral Britain awash with hushed whispers of the supernatural and a foreboding dread of looming war. In The Banishing, Jessica Brown Findlay plays Marianne, a young reverend's wife and a mother to a little girl, Adelaide (Anya McKenna-Bruce), who seeks solace and security in their new home – the gloomy and intimidating Morley Rectory. John Heffernan as Linus, Marianne's husband and a newly appointed reverend, encapsulates the role of a God-fearing man torn between faith, family, and the unexplainable paranormal happenings in the rectory.

However, the rectory, bearing a sinister and twisted past, doesn't offer the sanctuary they seek. Instead, they find themselves plunged into a whirlwind of strange occurrences, unexplainable events, and eerie disturbances that hint at the property's haunted past. As Marianne begins to experience terrifying visions and Adelaide's behavior grows mysterious and disturbing, the family finds itself unable to escape the oppressive presence in the house.

The addition of Sean Harris's character, Harry Price, brings an interesting dynamic to the film. As a discredited occultist, Price is someone who holds the secret to the forbidding rectory, believing in its haunted reputation and the power of its dark past. His interaction with the family brings forth spine-chilling revelations while keeping the threatening veil of uncertainty intact.

The film uses a well-crafted combination of psychological terror and supernatural dread, adeptly blending reality with the spectral, resulting in a visually arresting narrative. The dark interiors of the rectory and the surrounding landscape are used to their maximum effect, creating both a claustrophobic and isolating atmosphere that adds to the film's profound sense of unease.

The Banishing is more than just a haunted house tale. It delves into deeper themes such as the role of women in society, and how fear and repression can be as powerful and pervading as any supernatural entity. The film brings out the internal struggle of Marianne as she navigates her own acceptance and denial, firmly straddling the line between paranoia and paranormal. It emphasizes the plight of an independent woman struggling with societal expectations and her personal desires in a time of patriarchal domination.

Jessica Brown Findlay's stellar performance as the determined, yet haunted Marianne, is gripping and emotional, guiding the audience through each terrifying twist and turn of the film. John Heffernan suits his role well as a reverend caught in his loyalty towards the church and love for his family. Anya McKenna-Bruce's mature performance as the young Adelaide successfully reveals the unsettling shifts between innocence and the uncanny.

The Banishing brilliantly subverts the traditional haunted house narrative by incorporating a hauntingly human element into its story. With its thought-provoking themes, tension-filled sequences, and engrossing performances, it is an atmospheric horror film that will linger in your mind, far beyond its duration. It's a must-watch for fans of the horror genre or those yearning for a cerebral, chilling experience. The Banishing is a genre piece that combines a period setting and personal drama with supernatural elements, bringing about successive waves of dread from both earthly and otherworldly sources. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat with its relentless suspense and unexpected revelations.