REVIEW: “The Dreadful” (2026)

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Natasha Kermani’s “The Dreadful” is a gothic horror film steeped in the atmosphere of medieval times. Set during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses, the movie explores dark and unsettling themes. While the grim historical setting is well-suited to Kermani’s style, the film unfortunately lacks consistent energy and feels surprisingly slow and uneventful.

“The Dreadful” draws inspiration from the 1964 Japanese drama “Onibaba.” Sophie Turner stars as Anne, a young woman living in poverty with her manipulative mother-in-law, Morwin (played by Marcia Gay Harden), while her husband is fighting in the war. They struggle to grow food on harsh land near a small village. The film was shot in the misty, damp landscape of Cornwall, which perfectly creates a feeling of isolation and unease.

Anne and Morwin have a difficult relationship, mirroring the harshness of their surroundings. Morwin controls and manipulates Anne, who mostly complies out of respect for her husband. However, Morwin also has a disturbing violent streak, driven by a need to survive, and she forces Anne to unwillingly help her. This unexpected turn adds a shocking element to the story.

Anne’s relationship is tested when her childhood friend, Jago, returns from the war with the sad news of Seamus’s death. We learn through flashbacks that Jago has always been in love with Anne, and he eventually tells her how he feels. This causes tension with Morwin, who is determined to keep Anne with her. Adding to the drama, a strange knight in shining armor on a white horse appears in the distance, only to mysteriously disappear into the fog.

The movie successfully creates a consistently unsettling atmosphere, but unfortunately, the slow-burn character development and central mystery don’t deliver satisfying resolutions. Though Turner and Harden give strong performances, skillfully portraying restraint and a descent into madness respectively, they ultimately elevate a script that doesn’t quite measure up. Kit Harington’s performance, however, is largely forgettable and doesn’t leave a lasting impact.

While “The Dreadful” explores some intriguing concepts, it doesn’t fully develop them. Its slow pace and lack of genuine scares prevent it from reaching its potential, and it doesn’t compare to the impact of the original classic. Although it’s not a direct copy, the film ultimately feels like a wasted chance, failing to stand out as its own unique work.

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2026-02-26 18:57