Voice from the Stone

Set against the vividly evocative backdrop of 1950s Tuscany, Voice from the Stone is a haunting and suspenseful film that combines elements of the thriller, horror, and drama genres. Gorgeously shot, this 2017 film is steeped in a palpable atmosphere of dread that wonderfully evokes the eeriness of a classic Gothic tale. Despite its place in the horror genre, Voice from the Stone thrives on psychological suspense rather than cheap jump-scares, favoring an uncanny ambience that lingers long after the credits have rolled.

Star Trek: First Contact director Eric D. Howell brings this chilling and atmospheric story to life, drawing on an exceptional screenplay adapted from Italian author Silvio Raffo's novel of the same name. However, it is Emilia Clarke's powerful lead performance that truly carries this film. Known for her role as the fearless Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, Clarke demonstrates a wide dramatic range here as the compassionate and resolute Verena, a young nurse drawn into the eerie and mysterious world of her silent young charge.

Clarke's Verena arrives in Tuscany to take on the duty of caring for Jakob (Edward Dring), a young boy traumatized into silence following the sudden death of his mother, played by Caterina Murino. The role of Jakob's father, Klaus, is embodied by Marton Csokas, known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings and Kingdom of Heaven. His performance paints a portrait of a man who's grief-stricken, distant, and consumed by his wife's death.

Despite Jakob's sorrowful condition, Verena remains determined and resolute in her quest to break through to the traumatized child. Her devotion to her patient leads her deeper into the historic Italian manor that is as ominous as it is beautiful, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of foreboding.

The estate appears to breathe with a life of its own, its winding corridors and ancient stone walls filled with countless secrets and dark mysteries. It is rumored within the villa that the spirit of Jakob's mother lingers on, a voice from the stone communicating with the young boy.

As the plot unravels, it becomes evidently clear that Voice from the Stone is as much a study in grief and loss as a classic haunted house tale. The spectral elements of the film serve as metaphors for the stifling effects of mourning and the ways the past can haunt the present, preventing those trapped in its grip from moving forward. Each of the principal characters struggle in their different ways with the loss of a loved one, unable to let go and surrender to the healing nature of time.

Michael Wandmacher's evocative and haunting score perfectly complements the film's ethereal visual language, further underscoring the atmosphere of the unfolding mystery. The film's visual effects are equally striking, aided by the awe-inspiring cinematography that captures the beauty of the Tuscan landscape and the chilling architectural grandeur of the manor in question.

Hellbent on its atmospheric build-up and slow-burn storytelling, Voice from the Stone is less about visual horror and more about psychological horror. It takes its time to play out, demanding patience from its audience, but rewards those who persevere with its intricately crafted narrative and profound exploration of death, grief, and acceptance.

Equally important are the film's subtexts. With themes relating to motherhood, loss, and communicative silence, Voice from the Stone skillfully uses the horror genre to examine deeper emotional and psychological issues. The Gothic manor, with its secret passages and hidden rooms, personifies the buried emotions that need to surface before healing can begin.

In summary, Voice from the Stone is a captivating film that takes viewers on a chilling journey through loss and recovery. Featuring sublime performances and a narrative that intertwines a supernatural thriller with an exploration of human emotions, the film is a testament to the power of storytelling in the horror genre. It may be an unconventional choice for horror and thriller fans alike, but it's certainly a trip worth taking for Emilia Clarke's outstanding performance and the film's hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.