When is it ok to ignore a plea for help? That’s the question at the heart of The Damned the new horror film from Thor Palsson, starring Odessa Young and Joe Cole. Morality has always been a core talking point for not just film, but story telling in general going back to its earliest forms. Palsson’s film sees a Eva, a young widow (Odessa Young) in 19th century Iceland faced with a choice that will force her to confront her own morality and empathy when a ship full of foreign sailors sinks off the coast of her village. The age old question of whether we have an obligation to help our fellow man or close ranks and protect the “tribe” becomes all too real leading to deadly consequences for all involved.
Eva, who took over the fishing village leadership after the death of her husband, is struggling through a harsh winter with limited supplies to keep her, and her people, safe and alive until better days come. The situation is made worse when she and the others spot a sinking vessel off the coast, which (understandably) they see as not just people in need, but more mouths to feed and bodies to protect if they are saved. A decision is made not to save the crew. At first the town pays for their choice simply through penetrating guilt and remorse but it’s not long until things take a turn for the fatal, with possibly supernatural origins. Eva believes their failure to help a stranger in need has called a “Draugr“, a evil supernatural entity from Norse mythology, down to enact revenge.
With a film like The Damned, it is absolutely critical that the audience be able to place themselves in the (frosty) shoes of those they’re watching on screen. If you can’t absorb all of the circumstances surrounding the situation you’re watching unfold there’s no way you can become immersed in the situation. Thor Palsson, in his directorial debut, demonstrates an uncanny ability to establish what these people are dealing with. As you can imagine, Iceland in the winter, and in the 19th century, is about as inhospitable place as you can find yourself. Palsson establishes the environment and builds the story firmly within. As the story progresses and at the point where you’d think the weather would be the last of their worries Mother Nature is still there, ever present and unflinchly brutal. The key touches that hammer this home are found outside of the standard snow covered plains, no it’s that everything in the elements is noticeably wind battered, it’s the choice to show that the dead are left in their coffins in full view as the cold has turned the soil to concrete making digging graves a pipe dream. The attention paid to creating this atmosphere results in a tension that never fully relents.
While the setting provides a good piece of why The Damned works so well, it’s all for naught if your characters are flat and their performances uninspired. Thankfully the cast came to play just as hard as Palsson did. Odessa Young, who I’m still surprised hasn’t blown up yet, commands a sadness and uncertainty that feels incredibly real. More importantly her performance allows you to FEEL the weight of these choices coupled with her responsibility to those who depend on her and her dedication to making sure that responsibility is fulfilled. Each member of the cast, in one form or another, represents the types of thought processes you’d expect in a situation like this. Daniel (Joe Cole) being the epitome of remorse and guilt while Ragnar (Game of Thrones alum, Rory McCann) shines as the grizzled elder who knows there is no other way. Of course, I can’t move on without mentioning Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey and Happy Valley) as the motherly camp cook who serves as our introduction and guide to the Draugr.
There isn’t much I can say to detract from The Damned, while it isn’t destined to sit in the Horror Hall of Fame it sits as an example of a film where all valves are running in perfect concert. This isn’t one for those currently in a delicate mental state, films like this are hard to leave without feeling just a bit depressed. Thankfully Palsson layers in just enough scares to keep your adrenaline up and keep you out of your therapists office the next day. This would be a perfect film to watch with the lights off and a nice warm fire burning in the fireplace.
The Damned is open in theaters now.
