User reviews

This movie is well done in most regards, but it'll test your patience right up to your breaking point. I don't need or want a horror movie to be action-packed, but there needs to be a progression of things actually happening. This movie is around 60% slow, moody shots of people or things sitting still (think like in a Yorgos Lanthimos film). These kind of shots can work very well when used in moderation, and when that kind of gravity is earned by the plot, but neither is the case here. There are only a handful of times in this movie when something actually happens, and really only two that are relevant to the overall plot. I love atmospheric and creepy horror, but I had a very hard time focusing on this. By the time it finally ramped up a bit at the end (which is the only good part of the movie), I only had a rough idea of what was happening because my mind had drifted so many times during the tedious, slow dialogue that accounts for around 30% of the runtime. This needed to be at least half an hour shorter. The unearned slow parts just make it feel like a half-baked (although very cool) concept with filler to make it a normal runtime.

As a fan of folk horror, small-production films, and Matt Smith & Morfydd Clark, I admit I might have had too high expectations. Especially since it took two years between the first limited release and the wide release on streaming platforms, the sheer anticipation raised my hopes even more.

With all that in mind, I still feel the film missed its potential because the thing with small production is that it relies on atmosphere-building and a good storyline. And both of those aspects could have been better.

For instance, regarding the atmosphere, I think they succeeded in portraying grief as raw, lasting, and sometimes merged with magical thinking and anger. Sometimes, it's bearable, and the characters even manage to squeeze a smile and get excited about things they work on or even an unexpected family visit. The grief is ever-present but fluctuating in intensity, which feels realistic, unlike Hollywood cliches that tend to go over the top. However, the film lacks in creating suspense due to the pacing and some scenes that feel disjointed. When you think it will pick up and elevate the tension, it moves to another scene.

Which brings us to another issue of storytelling. While the overall idea is good, the film would have benefited from a more developed lore. You quickly learn there is a lot at stake, but they never tell you why, and it somewhat obscures the characters' motivations. Without knowing more about mythology, we fail to see the appeal and the temptation of some choices they make. For this reason, I believe it was challenging to wrap up the film in a satisfactory way, and they chose a tried and "safe" route instead. In theory, it could have worked great, but in practice, it feels stretched and even forced at some times.

The problems might have roots in the original material - Andrew Michael Hurley's book of the same name, as some works of literature are untranslatable to movie screen. Or perhaps the author failed to develop the mythology sufficiently, so the movie crew did not have much to work with. I still haven't read it but intend to, which means that, despite its shortcomings, the film succeeded in provoking some curiosity. And if you drop your expectations - which, sadly, was impossible for me - it may work even better, who knows?

After watching this film I know what it's like to drown in molasses. I honestly wanted to like this, I love a good folk-horror movie. But it soon became clear that this wasn't good at all. Sure, the actors tried their hardest and I give them credit for that. But they were fighting against the current and it eventually overwhelmed them. I have nothing at all against slow films, I love Last Year At Marienbad but there's a real art involved in holding the viewer's attention at such a pace. You risk sending an audience to sleep if you do it badly. And that's the result here. 4 points for the effort..

This is a weak attempt to create some sort of folk horror myth thing along the lines of the Wicker Man or the Lair of the White Worm, but nowhere near as good. I rented this film because it has Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark, a great combination. Unfortunately they are entirely wasted in this production. Calling this film slow moving is to flirt recklessly with understatement. Very little went on, and a good part of the time you could fast forward and not miss anything. The open windy wastelands of Yorkshire are the setting, and - to the credit of the cinematographer - make up an entire character of its own. But as I'm fond of saying in my reviews, creepy atmospheres don't create creepy movies. Not sure what the aforementioned actors were doing in this little project, but maybe they owed the writer/director/producer/whatever a favor. I would skip this unless you want to fall asleep quickly and know that you're not missing anything by doing so. Hard pass.

Yes it was slow but for me I enjoyed the premise, Jack in the Green, Wicker Man stylee.

Atmospheric setting with good acting, I hope the Hare was not unsettled by the nipple scene !

Suspenion of disbelief was easy with the quality of the actors, Matt Smith held his poise and the countryside provided a suffocating atmosphere that caught and held me to the conclusion.

Whenever I watch a film described as horror it's difficult to discern the nature of that type of horror as there are so many different genres but for me this reminds of Hammer films, typically British in its style and delivery.

If you are enjoy atmospheric chillers I would recommend this.

Writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo has taken a stab at the folk horror genre in his sophomore feature, Starve Acre.

A slow paced tale about how a local legend starts to influence- and take over- the personality of a young boy, that is being raised in this rural setting.

Though, much like we saw previously, in Run Rabbit Run...it's moreso about the psychological affect this change has on his parents...as opposed to the child, himself.

How they, as the one's who are supposed to offer their child unconditional love, are forced to cope with the ordeal that has become the focal point of their, and their child's, life.

As their son becomes increasingly disconnected, and violent.

While claiming to have formed a relationship with an "imaginary" character, from a local folk tale, central to their idyllic little town's lore.

Before succumbing to an asthma attack.

Obviously, dealing with such a situation starts to have an effect on their individual mental health.

On top of their relationship with one another, and the other people in their lives.

Which is precisely what Kokotajlo has set out to explore in this film.

Though, in typical folk horror fashion, things start to take a turn in a wildly different direction.

And start to get weird.

As we learn how what we've been watching unfold, connects back to the land...and their family's ties to it.

As what ensues becomes increasingly more vicious.

Despite the creepily alluring atmosphere that permeates the film...it seems to have rubbed many viewers the wrong way.

Which is, no doubt, a result of it's convoluted plot structure...and the way the film ends.

As it concludes on both a bizarre, and slightly confounding, note.

Which requires that you had paid rather close attention to it's more subtle elements, in order to garner a proper understanding of it.

And truly appreciate it, for what it is.

I rather enjoyed it.

But completely understand why many have taken issue with it, at the same time.

While not perfect...it's a solid little folk horror, that takes it's place alongside titles like The Whicker Man and The VVitch.

Even if it's not quite as laudable as those examples.

If you are a fan of the folk horror genre...this is likely going to be up your alley.

However, if you aren't as acclimated and familiar with this type of film, you might want to pass it by.

I certainly enjoyed it, though.

And must admit...it kept me intrigued, throughout.

6 out of 10.

Being just that, I gave this a more than deserving distraction free viewing.

This one jumps to the near top of the subgenre with it attention to detail, solid acting and sense of dread throughout. Seeing the complaints as I skimmed through the user reviews, and what can I say to convince someone that didn't enjoy "the pacing" that was found to be "unbearable"

Sigh.

This film was made for fans that not only have patience but the mindset to not complain and just enjoy a well made almost retro grade film. This one will certainly fly under the radar for some, and will be appreciated for what unfolds in a very deliberate pace instead of a jumpscare fest dull of plot holes and empty characters. This is the antithesis of what the expectations are when you're spoonfed a comic book based film ad nauseum. You're bearing the torch when it comes to supporting independent films, and this one is solid entry. Creepy as it is submersive. Effective as it is allowed to be. One of the better of the year end lists imo.

When their young son dies a couple's lives are thrown into turmoil and things at their rural home start to get very weird. Some reviewers insist that this is not a horror movie but they are mistaken, Starve Acre is a British folk horror movie. Unfortunately it is not a good one. I will start with the positives - Matt Smith is a very versatile actor and again delivers a good performance. In fact the whole cast are good. I liked the 1970's period setting, the clothes, the old vehicles etc. And I thought that the rural Yorkshire location at times gave off a strong feeling of isolation and bleakness at times. What I did not like was the fact that it felt so slow. There are a couple of small jump scares and the odd feeling of dread but I am not lying when I say that I found my eyes closing numerous times when i saw this last night at my local independent cinema. The struggle to stay awake got harder and harder as it went on, if you suffer from insomnia then watching this at home may well cure you. Then there is a very fake looking hare that becomes central to the plot. I will not give away the ending but there were people laughing out loudly (which I found to be quite disrespectful) in the audience. Britain has produced some fine folk horror movies but this entry is sadly near the bottom of the barrel n terms of quality, quite disappointing.

Animal cruelty and corpse horror, an overly coddling dad who's dismissive of the need for corrective actions either for his own part or for others, a wife that seems fairly demoralized and alone (lack of support/emotional neglect), a detached and disturbed child that gets zero assistance, anti-pagan sentiments galore, an unconvincing rabbit puppet, a babbling colleague in a field, violent murders with no consequences, gross animal personification, etc., etc.

The pacing was fine, it was the story that was dung.

(Reviewers as of today seem to watch content that isn't in a genre they like at all. If they want Fast-Paced Action Horror, or a tiktok vid is the full extent of their attention span, then they should go for that instead of coming on this platform to whinge.)

This is a movie that I only found out about through Dead Meat Presents and it had Matt Smith, so I decided to watch the movie and it was okay.

Positives for Starve Acre (2024): Matt Smith gives a good performance as the father and it's easily the best performance in the movie. The sound design in this movie is genuinely creepy and terrifying. The movie takes its time to get to the big climax and when it gets there, it pays off perfectly.

Negatives for Starve Acre (2024): I wasn't all that invested into this story, but I'm rarely invested into folk horror and I can't remember the last time I was invested into a folk horror story.

Overall, Starve Acre (2024) is a decent enough folk horror movie that will appeal more to fans of this subgenre in horror, but it's still a movie that I would still highly recommend this movie if you're a fan of House of the Dragon like me.

Firstly, I struggle to take Matt Baker seriously - I've seen him be terrible in some terrible zombie/soldier thing and he was in Dr. Who, something I've not cared for ever.

Secondly, has no one noticed his face is too big for his head? He's like some 80s "gross-out" toy. A Boglin?

Thirdly, he can't act.

Morfydd Clark was great in Saint Maud, but she doesn't show that here, maybe Smith's inability hampered her will to give a damn. Understandable.

Directorially the film is sluggish, unambitious and often resorts to visual cliches. You'd probably let the director have a crack at a mobile phone advert. The biggest problem is it's just incredibly dull, having to stomach that after the incredibly tired setup - I think I've seen it across at least 3 films so far this year - I just kept zoning out, having to rewind and really not wanting to press play again.

A tiny bit of "folk", no horror at all other than the rogue Boglin.

"Richard" (Matt Smith), his wife "Jules" (Morfydd Clark) and their young son "Owen" (Arthur Shaw) have moved back to his late father's remote hill farm. Not long after they arrive the young, asthmatic, lad starts to hear a voice that seems to be compelling him to become erratic, even violent. Before his parents get to the bottom of this, though, there's a tragedy that upends their marriage and sees him spend an increasing amount of time doing what he likes to do best - archeology. He is out in all weathers and one day discovers the skeleton of an animal. Meticulously boxing it up, he takes into his study to examine it further. Boy is he in for a surprise and what now ensues takes us all back into his unhappy childhood with a brutish and unloving father and lots of standing about in his underpants. It's starting to look like the folklore surrounding an ancient oak tree that might have been an entrance to the underworld and maybe even the legendary "Dandelion Jack" might be influencing their behaviour as their lives take a turn for the distinctly bizarre. It does fall into place a little at the end, but for the most part this all centres around a jigsaw puzzle of a story with too many bits missing. Even if you do know a little about the underpinning mythology, the narrative still has too many gaps. It might make for a solid enough short film but extending this to ninety minutes puts too much pressure on the underwhelming Smith (and his hair) and the presence of her sister "Harrie" (Erin Richards) for much of their process of grief just doesn't help to create an atmosphere of menace, pity nor, really, of mystery either. There are a couple of wonderfully "Arcati" style performances from local medium "Mrs. Forde" (Melanie Kilburn) but the rest of the drama relies too heavily on it's bleak weather and heavily over-scoring. It's watchable enough, but it reminded me a little of "Enys Men" (2022) - a quirky story that provided us with some bones of the bones of an intriguing story but where near enough meat to sustain much interest.

I think this movie deserve more love. As many reviews pointed out already, it is a slow, beautiful, and well-acted movie.

I agree that the pace and lack of visual horrific elements can be problematic for many viewers. Same thing with the mood, which fluctuate between gloomy and very gloomy.

On the other hand it was almost a comforting movie on my side, and for this I think ambiance is the key. There are no shouts or noisy arguments despite the traumas of the characters. The actors quiet and brilliant acting is in tune with the soft unsettling strangeness feeling that looms over the moor.

Give it a try!

I am so conflicted about this movie because the premise is wonderfully creepy folk horror and could have been an interesting exploration of grief. This movie has so many elements that are interesting and imaginative, the acting is good, the visuals really beautiful, but it utterly fails at pacing and building tension.

The beginning is rushed, and what follows seems like a bunch of randomly put together scenes that have great horror ideas, but in my opinion do not weave together to a greater whole.

Additionally, the music was jarring in a way that took me out of the story and destroyed the atmosphere that the visuals otherwise had built up.

The acting was solid on all sides, but the actors could have gotten much more to work with, especially with a cast this good. The character arcs were not very developed which made them feel quite stiff to me.

The ending was very sudden, too, and felt unearned.

Furthermore, some of the backstory felt convoluted and crammed in, would have needed to be either cut or added in a more graceful/artful manner.

Nonetheless, I have told multiple friends abt this movie and just started reading the book its based on to see if the fault lies in the screenplay alone or book as well, but regardless of the book, the movie could have been a great and atmospheric folk tale horror-drama, exploring grief and the beautiful poetic and violent nature of folk tales, but sadly falls short. Severely wish this movie would have been written by a perhaps more experienced writer. I love all the elements here, which makes it all the more frustrating that the writing is not up to par.

So it should be pointed out this is no horror film. There is no horror involved whatsoever except maybe during the first 5 minutes. Finishing the film that was the main issue I had. I was actually pleasantly surprised this being a British film that the filming, acting and directing were all really good. But it does lack a bit of suspense. It is a psychological thriller, has nudity, bestiality, folk-lore, black magic and a lot of sorrow.

But is it worth watching?

Well, undecided. I like action, horror, comedy. This film lacked all of those. It was well directed like said but the main story was just grief, loss and sorrow which is not really the best plot line if you want to be entertained so it was a good watch but I would not recommend it to anyone else to go see. There's just too little that is memorable about this film in my opinion.