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A chilling journey through ‘Fréwaka’: Unveiling the dark roots of Irish horror
Exploring the depths of ‘Fréwaka’
J.R.R. Tolkien once mused that “cellar door” is the most beautiful phrase in the English language. However, in the context of ‘Fréwaka’, an eerie horror film by Irish writer-director Aislinn Clarke, this phrase takes on a sinister tone. The movie’s cellar door, red and creaky, adorned with a rusty horseshoe, serves as a gateway to a realm of unsettling horrors. Clarke’s second feature film, much like her debut ‘The Devil’s Doorway’, delves into local folklore and historical guilt, creating a chilling narrative that resonates deeply with its Irish roots.
A haunting prologue
The film opens with a cryptic prologue set in 1973, where a rural wedding is disrupted by menacing figures in medieval straw masks. This eerie scene is followed by newspaper clippings detailing the bride’s mysterious disappearance. The connection between this past event and the present-day narrative is initially unclear, adding to the film’s suspense.
Shoo’s journey into the past
The story then shifts to the present, where we meet Shoo (Clare Monnelly), a pragmatic woman dealing with the recent suicide of her estranged mother. Shoo’s relationship with her mother was fraught with abuse, a fact that shocks her pregnant fiancée, Mila (Aleksandra Bystrzhitskaya). Shoo’s new job as a live-in caregiver for Peig (Bríd Ní Neachtain), a frail woman living in a remote village, takes her away from Mila and into a house filled with ominous artifacts and unsettling noises.
The house of horrors
Peig’s house, with its bad taxidermy and eerie talismans, is a character in itself. The cellar door, which Peig believes to be a dangerous spiritual threshold, becomes a focal point of the film’s horror. As Shoo navigates the house’s dark corners, she forms a tentative bond with Peig, whose moments of clarity reveal a shared history of trauma and abuse.
Supernatural and psychological terror
‘Fréwaka’ blends old-school occultism with the tangible legacy of trauma. The film’s scares, including a menacing goat reminiscent of ‘The Witch’s’ Black Phillip, are rooted in both supernatural and psychological horror. Clarke’s script deftly balances these elements, creating a narrative that explores the impact of Catholic Church violence on women like Shoo and Peig.
Atmospheric mastery
The film’s atmosphere is expertly crafted, with production designer Nicola Moroney and cinematographer Narayan Van Maele creating a sense of claustrophobic dread. The score by avant-garde musician Die Hexen, heavy on chattering percussion, adds to the film’s tension. This combination of visual and auditory elements makes ‘Fréwaka’ a compelling and unsettling experience.
A deeper look at Irish horror
‘Fréwaka’ is part of a growing subgenre of Irish horror films that explore women’s history and trauma. Like ‘You Are Not My Mother’, another film steeped in Irish folklore, ‘Fréwaka’ uses horror to delve into social issues and historical guilt. Clarke’s film is a powerful example of how horror can be used to explore deeper themes and create a lasting impact.
Watch the trailer
For those intrigued by this chilling tale, you can watch the trailer for ‘Fréwaka’ here.
Final thoughts
‘Fréwaka’ is a masterful blend of supernatural and psychological horror, rooted in Irish history and folklore. Aislinn Clarke’s film is a testament to the power of horror to explore deeper themes and create a lasting impact. With its atmospheric mastery and compelling narrative, ‘Fréwaka’ is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
