Broken Bird is an atmospheric thriller that recently made its world premiere at FrightFest 2024. Sybil (Rebeca Calder, House of the Dragon) has started a new job at a funeral parlor. She is quiet, dedicated to her job, and has a love of poetry. She also lives a life of daydreams and fantasies. A random encounter sets her on a path that affects her life and those around her forever.
The film tells dual stories, each with decidedly different tones. While there is an ominous feeling to both, the moments involving Sybil are lighthearted and even charming. Yes, there is the constant feeling that something sinister is bubbling beneath the surface, but there is also a sense of fun.
There is nothing silly about Emma’s (Sacharissa Claxton, The Sandman) life, however. Plagued with the memories of traumatic experience, she is a barely functioning alcoholic. Though she has a strong support network, she is barely holding on to her home and work life by a thread. In a movie filled with powerful moments, hers are some of the most emotionally resonant.
The contrasting nature of Broken Bird can be jarring. Calder and Claxton do a fantastic job of drawing audiences into their worlds. The great performances are offset by a plot that never allows anyone watching to settle in. The only constant is the question of what happened.
For the most part, it works. Sybil is an intriguing character with an engaging arc. What starts off as silly and quirky gets increasingly dark as Broken Bird progresses. She goes from being darkly comedic to straight up frightening. The tight writing makes sure this transition is smooth and never feels out of place no matter how wild it gets. Claxton is given less to work with, but maximizes every moment. She becomes the protagonist to root for due to her circumstances and passion. Each revelation adds another layer to her tragic story. She brings gravity to Broken Bird that is not always there.
The two stories come to a head in a wild third act. There are shocking reveals, beatings, kidnappings, and lots of corpses. It is a lot to take in, including some things that even the movie seems to forget about. But it is an overall enjoyably creepy watch.
Broken Bird opens in UK cinemas August 30.
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