FILM REVIEW: “herätä”

“Herata” is a deeply unsettling horror film that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The film follows a couple as they seek help from a sleep clinic to cure the husband’s restless nights. As the sleep problems continue, the horrors get increasingly disturbing.

Ischa Bee gives a standout performance as the wife, Kate. As the movie intercuts between the sleep clinic sessions and the horrifying nights that follow, each emotion from Kate is so vividly illustrated by Ischa Bee, leaving audiences unsure of Kate’s fate. Kate’s façade of pretending everything is okay versus the reality of the situation is characterized brilliantly by Bee from just her impressive body language and microexpressions.

Chance Le Prey’s portrayal of Scott, the husband, only enhances this horror film with his extremely creepy acting. There is a haunting aura of his character’s presence that only escalates as the film progresses. The more we see him on screen, the more the audience fears for the main character’s safety.

This film is an expertly crafted horror film that utilizes every film technique from writing to editing. Directors Curt Eagan and Kyle Larson truly showcased their mastery of building suspense as they relied on more than just your average jumpscare to frighten their audiences. While this film is not for the faint of heart, it is a brilliant example of a short and concise horror that will truly horrify you.

Review: Ike Mauga