‘Starve Acre’ Review – A Solid Folk Horror Story Rooted In Stellar Performances

Folk horror seems to be slowly breaking its way back into the consciousness of modern horror, with modern hits like Robert Eggers’ The Witch and Ari Aster’s Midsommar harkening back to classics like The Wicker Man (both versions if you ask me), the subgenre is certainly making quite the resurgence. Midway through the year, we have another entry into this lane of horror. Based on the novel by Andrew Michael Hurley, David Kokotajlo’s intimate folk horror Starve Acre follows Richard (Matt Smith) and Juliette (Morfydd Clark) as they attempt to reckon with their son’s strange behavior. As things continue to happen to their family and the land around them, tensions only continue to rise as the strangeness grows.

In the same vein as many folk horror films of the past, Starve Acre winds up being more of a two-handed character study and family drama than true horror. These stories are rooted in the people involved just as much as they are with the terrifying things happening around them. Whatever is affecting Richard and Juliette’s son more supernaturally affects their marriage proportionally. They both have different ideas of how to handle the situation, and these direct disagreements lead to strife and distance between the pair. Both Smith and Clark are phenomenal in their roles, exhibiting their unique versions of emotional distancing and repression in captivating ways. They carry this film in such a way that you can’t keep your eyes off of them, despite the beautifully shot scenery surrounding their quaint, quiet home in the countryside.

The cinematography exhibited by Adam Scarth is exquisite, framing the land beautifully to juxtapose the horrors that lie underneath the surface. Every single exterior shot will make you want to move out to the British countryside, no matter what strange things may await you there. Much of the sound comes from the natural environment, with Matthew Herbert’s score used sporadically in taut moments. This strategic use of natural sound and swelling score creates an unsettling tone throughout the film, with moments absent of music catching you off guard as something surprising happens. 

Kokotajlo’s direction and script are deliberately patient and meditative. He allows room for his two stars to act with their full selves, not just deliver the lines. Matt Smith’s facial acting is especially superb, conveying deep emotion effortlessly. The atmosphere he creates is slow enough to almost lull you to sleep, sprinkled with enough excitement to draw you back in. This is often the case with folk horror, taking things a little slower and not revealing its hand until the very end. The story does an excellent job of telling you just enough to make some inferences about what is happening, but not so much that it spells everything out for the viewer. This film requires a bit more of you than a typical mainstream horror movie, and you are rewarded by the end for your efforts. 

A folk horror trope that is alive and well in Starve Acre is the land acting as a character in the story, not simply where events take place. The earth is strangely intertwined with the family, an active participant in the plot. The film’s use of nature and beauty as both a blessing and a curse is a reminder that we don’t always know what we are getting ourselves into when we start messing with it. 

From the outset, Starve Acre presents classical folk horror elements in familiar ways that wind up following their paths to distinct, unique conclusions that are sure to enthrall. The performances alone deserve checking this one out, and the craftsmanship and story make it all the more worthy. 

Starve Acre is currently playing in select theaters and is available On Demand courtesy of Brainstorm Media.