Writer-director James Watkins (known for his critically acclaimed debut Eden Lake), remakes Christian Tafdrup's 2022 Danish psychological horror of same name.
Mackenzie Davis - Louise Dalton
Scoot McNairy - Ben Dalton
James McAvoy - Patrick
Aisling Franciosi - Ciara
Alix West Lefer - Agnes Dalton
Dan Hough - Ant
Summary
While on vacation in Italy, American family the Daltons (Ben, Louise and daughter Agnes) meet Patrick, Ciara and their son Ant.
Back home in London, Ben receives a postcard from Patrick, inviting them to stay at their countryside farmhouse. Though reluctant at first, they decide a change of scenery would be just the ticket.
Things go swimmingly at first, but Patrick and Ciara's bizarre behaviour overwhelms, prompting Ben and Louise to leave.
After Agnes demands they go back to retrieve her teddy, Ant reveals dark secrets about his 'parents'.
Eternal flame
Despite McAvoy's energetic performance, just like Psycho (1998) and The Omen (2006), to name a few, this was pointless.
Apart from nationalities and setting, shit is largely shot-for-shot, with threat, violence and depravity toned down.
Original's most shocking sequence was Karin cutting off Agnes's tongue, but we don't get that (or equivalent).
In truth, the primary difference is antagonists dying and couple surviving.
Whether intentional or not, Ant beating Patrick to death with a brick may be a nod to how Bjørn and Louise were stoned to death.
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