The Damned is a somber horror movie that deals in choice and consequences. Eva (Odessa Young, HBO’s The Staircase) is the head of an isolated Icelandic fishing post. When the inhabitants see a ship sink off near the coast, they are forced to make a difficult decision. As they try to live with the guilt of what they have done, the group begins to think they are being punished for the cruelness of their actions.
Stark and beautiful, the film is a visually enjoyable watch. This dichotomy is seen early on when the opening shows breathtaking shots of the of the barren outpost followed immediately by a scene in a dark room lit only by candlelight. The Damned does this often, switching suddenly from almost absolute darkness to the bright day lit by the sun and blindingly white snow. It always looks good while adding to the sense of loneliness. It is often impossible to see anything; when you can, there is nothing to see.
This grim setting is paired with strong performances. Young is fantastic as the strong-willed but troubled Eva. From the quiet strength in the first act of The Damned to the panicked desperation of later scenes, Young is the emotional core that draws audiences in. Eva is the one source of warmth in the cold and impersonal setting.
The psychological horror of The Damned is pitch perfect for the vast majority of the runtime. Even before the terror kicks in full bore, there is a dread to the story being told. The scarcity of food and loneliness creates an artificial sense of exile and by extension, fear. The character study after the shipwreck adds a frightening layer that is enhanced with the occasional jump scare.
It is not until the final seconds that the script loses its way. Up until the climax, the plot deals with the guilt brought upon by the shipwreck. The final conflict lessens the impact of everything previous. Even more upsetting is a confusing twist that undermines everything The Damned is about.
The Damned comes to UK and Irish theaters January 10.
