Director: Corin Hardy
Cast: Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic, Michael Smiley, Michael McElhatton
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 97 minutes
Special Features: Behind The Scenes: The Story; The Influence; Practical FX, Surviving The Fairytale: The Making Of The Hallow, Galleries, Director’s Storyboards, Original Illustrations, Director’s Sketchbook, Concept Sketches, Creature Concepts and UK Theatrical Trailer
Out now to download, and on DVD from 21st March, The Hallow is one of the best horror films of 2015 that you probably didn’t see. A debut film directed by Corin Hardy, The Hallow is set deep within the Irish forests.
New parents Adam and Clare have relocated to Ireland from England for Adam’s work, which involves marking trees for destruction, something that isn’t going down well with the locals. The land that Adam is working on is also the subject of local folklore, and when strange things start happening the couple must protect their son and themselves from an unknown threat.
The Hallow manages something that a lot of horror movies try and fail at, to remain grounded in reality. The story deals with fairies and goblins and various supernaturally magic creatures yet always keeps one foot in the ‘real’ world. As magical as these critters are there is also a degree of science attached to proceedings which make the threat seem more tangibly plausible.
For a first time feature, Corin Hardy makes an impression with The Hallow which is a visual delight. The colour palette is forest greens and earthy tones which are made all the bleaker with the minimal lighting. Essentially it’s a movie which manages to beautifully encapsulate a rainy autumnal night. It isn’t just the visuals that work well, the plot is clever and innovative, and this is a rare example of a family unit within the genre that works. The pairing of Joseph Mawle and Bojana Novakovic appears authentic – they look, feel and act like a real couple. The tangibility of the clan makes it all the most heartbreaking as events unravel and inevitably take a turn for the worse.
A special mention should go out to the child portion of our trio. Not since Labyrinth has a baby gone through so much. Just like in the aforementioned movie, the child is highly coveted by the creatures of the hallow and his parents have to do everything they can to keep him safe. In places he feels a little like the put-upon Jonesy (the cat in Alien) of the tale, but again the choice of utilising an infant helps make the story feel real. They say there is nothing greater than parental love and The Hallow showcases just how strong a mother and father can be when necessary.
The horror genre is one that has never really taken a back-seat, but upsettingly quality has suffered over the years. The Hallow bucks this trend and is a film for the true genre fans, oozing references to all the classics – The Thing, Evil Dead and Alien.
In terms of horror elements we have malevolent beings, some surprisingly squeamish moments (eye lovers beware), and some excellently executed jump-scares. If this is Hardy’s début, I can’t wait to see what he brings next.
This DVD release isn’t just a must-see because of the contents of its feature, the additional material is also exceptional. In this day and age the bonus content on most DVD’s is either non-existent, or a pile of bland generic blah. This is not the case with The Hallow, director Corin Hardy has produced a disc that is crammed full of insightful and interesting extras.
There’s a two tier behind-the-scenes section, the first of which features the expected two-to-three minute sound-bites about various aspects of production, perfect for those with a passing fancy. The second is an in-depth documentary that charts the film’s entire lifespan, from concept to screenings. It’s a welcome change and the Surviving the Fairytale is an intimate and informative look at how the film was made. Film makers and fans alike will find plenty to enjoy within its forty – fifty minute run time. Other bonus material includes a gallery of storyboards and concept art, all of which are stunningly artistic and highlights the films attention to detail.
The Hallow features some stunning performances which, coupled with a fantastic fable and creepy practical effects, combine to create a horror film with heart and emotion. A promising début that reinforces the latest upwards trend of an abused genre. The Hallow is tense, haunting, horrific and fiendishly frightening.
The Hallow is available to buy on DVD from Monday 21st March. Read our interview with director Corin Hardy here.
