Cast: Odessa Young, Joe Cole, Lewis Gribben, Siobhan Finneran, Francis Magee, Rory McCann, Turlough Convery and Mícheál Óg Lane
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Director: Thordur Palsson
In Irish Cinemas: 10th January 2025
In the past, Hollywood studios often treated January as a dumping ground for horror movies they deemed unpromising, relegating lesser projects to the year’s quietest month. However, this trend has shifted dramatically recently, with January now serving as a platform for more ambitious and high-profile releases. This year is no exception, with anticipated titles like The Wolf Man and Companion drawing attention. Yet, audiences should also keep an eye on The Damned, a chilling psychological horror set in the unforgiving Arctic, helmed by director Thordur Palsson. The film transports viewers to 19th-century Iceland, delivering a haunting tale of survival and human frailty.
The story centres on Eva, played by Odessa Young, a resilient widow tasked with managing a remote fishing station once run by her late husband. Life in this harsh, snowbound wilderness is a relentless struggle. The barren tundra offers little comfort; survival depends on strict adherence to order and rationing. Eva’s crew, a group of weary fishermen, must follow rigorous protocols to ensure they endure the brutal conditions so they can return to their families with much-needed earnings.
But tensions begin to simmer beneath the surface of the icy isolation, and the relentless cold seems to awaken something far darker. As the film unfolds, Eva must confront the physical challenges of this bleak environment and the psychological toll it exacts on those who dare to inhabit it. Palsson’s direction and the stark, atmospheric setting promise a deeply unsettling exploration of isolation, paranoia, and the human spirit pushed to its breaking point. The Damned may be flying under the radar compared to its blockbuster counterparts, but it could prove to be one of the year’s most unforgettable horror experiences.
When the fishers notice a ship sinking just off the shore, perilously close to a treacherous stretch of jagged rocks they’ve nicknamed “the teeth,” they face a grim decision. Do they risk venturing out into the dangerous waters to save the ship’s crew, knowing full well that such an act of bravery could jeopardise their survival? Beyond the physical danger, there’s the harrowing question of whether their sparse resources can sustain the addition of so many lives. Could they afford to feed and shelter the survivors, or would they doom everyone to starvation?
Their choice—and the following horrifying consequences—sets the tone for a story drenched in dread and moral ambiguity. The suffocating unease grips you like an unseen force, twisting in your gut like the haunting image of an eel in an early, blood-soaked scene. The tension isn’t just about external threats; it’s a profound, psychological reckoning with the burden of inaction, of standing by and witnessing catastrophe unfold while doing nothing to stop it.
Director Hlynur Pálmason, an Icelander, roots this narrative in his homeland’s eerie atmosphere, drawing from Norse folklore to heighten the horror. The legend of the Draugr—ghostly, vengeful figures from Scandinavian myth—casts a spectral shadow over the unfolding events, blending the supernatural with the psychological. As the fishers confront their choices and the consequences of their actions, the film unravels into a nightmare that feels as ancient and unrelenting as the sea itself.
The Damned offers a straightforward premise, centring on a haunting, but director Palsson skillfully collaborates with cinematographer Eli Arenson to craft a chillingly atmospheric experience. The film’s setting is not just a backdrop but a character in its own right, blending haunting beauty with an oppressive sense of isolation. This synergy elevates the scares beyond mere jump tactics, immersing the audience in the paranoid terror of a group grappling with their surroundings and the ancient, malevolent force hunting them.
The narrative unfolds through Eva’s eyes, placing us directly in her spiralling paranoia as the story progresses. Her perspective is deeply immersive, but it also highlights one of the film’s weaknesses: the supporting characters. While the performances are competent and sometimes compelling, the script leaves much to be desired regarding character depth. This underdevelopment is incredibly disappointing during the film’s climactic twist, which, while intriguing, lacks the emotional weight needed to leave a lasting impact.
Palsson’s directorial strengths, however, shine in his use of environmental storytelling and his eye for striking visuals. At times, the composition of a single shot conveys more about the characters and their inner struggles than the script attempts to articulate. These moments of visual storytelling stand out as some of the film’s most memorable, showcasing Palsson’s potential as a director.
Despite its flaws, The Damned remains a worthwhile watch. It may not fully succeed in achieving its ambitions, but its atmospheric tension and artistic flourishes ensure it leaves an impression.
Overall: 6.5/10
Movie Reviewer
