The Dreadful reunites Sophie Turner and Kit Harrington of Game of Thrones in a Gothic horror movie about loyalty and love. During the 15th century Anne (Turner) and her mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden, BoJack Horseman) live on the outskirts of society. As they struggle for their next meal, a man from their pasts shows up changing everyone’s lives.
Director Natasha Kermani (Lucky) is an expert at weaving psychological horror with tangible scares. The Dreadful is a tale centered around manipulation. After Anne and Morwen learn that Anne’s husband Seamus has been killed, the older woman constantly reminds the new widow of the duty she has. As Morwen becomes more desperate and violent, she demands more of the reluctant Anne.
When Jago (Harrington) enters the picture, things become more difficult. Not only is he the one who brings the news of Seamus, he also becomes a dividing force. While Anne and Morwen were not living an idyllic life, they had something to look forward to. They have a bond that is built on struggle and the dream that Seamus will return. Jago destroys that dream while also attempting to drive the women apart.
Turner and Harrington are the big names attached to The Dreadful, but it is Harden’s performance that steals the show. She is fantastic as the “evil hag” and is arguably the film’s most frightening presence. Along with being ruthless, she is also a controlling force. Harden commands the screen whenever she is on.
Along with the dysfunctional triangle, there is a mysterious knight in the cove. Anne assumes he is a Hell knight who has come for her. As The Dreadful progresses, it is clear there is a demon in the cove, but in a true folkloric twist, it is an evil that resides in all of us. Things get a little muddled during the climax, but Kermani does get her point across.
The Dreadful comes to theaters, on demand, and on digital February 20th.
