Leave all the lights on after dark debut
Browbeaten Davis is a revelation
●●●●● If you’re after a creepy, tense little horror to leave you with a real desire to keep the lights on then look no further than The Vigil.
The simple story follows Dave Davis’ Yakov who left an Orthodox Jewish community but agrees to provide an overnight watch to a deceased Jew — paying a terrifying price in the process.
Writer-director Keith Thomas portrays a sure hand with all things horror in his feature film debut.
Setting most of the flick in a singlehouse location, and giving Yakov no escape from the entity he comes across, leaves him – and us – trapped and at the mercy of his night from hell.
Thomas’ movie is bathed in darkness, often with only a mobile phone screen or candles providing light, and anything could be lurking around the frame of his camera.
In similar fashion to 2016’s The Autopsy of Jane Doe, the constant presence of a dead body – this one under a sheet – makes you uncomfortable as you’re always waiting for it to make a move.
Davis, whose relatively limited acting experience has been predominantly small TV roles (True Detective, The Walking Dead), is a revelation.
Thomas’ script gives Yakov a lot of baggage and with his soulful looks, head rubbing and unsure of himself demeanour, Davis exemplifies a troubled character.
The story also cleverly makes us question whether everything going on is in Yakov’s head as nearly every interaction he has after he enters the deceased man’s house deteriorates into inexplicable territory.
I’ve got to give a shout-out to Lynn Cohen too; like a less over-the-top Lin Shaye, her Mrs Litvak is equally sympathetic and alarming.
Cleverly, Thomas keeps his supernatural entity hidden in the shadows for the most part, meaning extra impact when it makes its presence known. Truthfully, like many films of this type, the ending is a little convenient and abrupt, but it works as a nice climax to the browbeaten Yakov’s story.
●Have you seen The Vigil and, if so, did you enjoy it? What are your favourite films currently streaming on Netflix?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.