Dread-filled oddity takes too wild a turn
Third act lets down promising debut
Amulet Sky Store ●●●●● Hong Kong-born British director Romala Garai makes her full-feature debut with this dread-filled oddity.
It tells the story of ex-soldier Tomas (Alec Secareanu) as nun Sister Claire (Imelda Staunton) offers him a place to stay at a decaying house inhabited by Magda (Carla Juri) and her dying mother (Anah Ruddin).
To say more would be giving too much away as Garai’s script takes many sinister twists and turns – but not all of them are satisfying.
Amulet’s biggest strength is its performances. Secareanu in particular is magnificent playing a character steeped in grief and guilt who pays a hefty price for his past sins.
Juri unsettles with just a look or a stare as her efforts to care for her mum butt heads with her initial mistrust for, and burgeoning relationship with, Tomas.
Staunton gives a typically engaging performance, with Sister Claire, despite her apparent kindness, always coming across as someone you can’t fully get behind.
Ruddin very nearly swipes the flick from everyone else, though, despite minimal dialogue in a turn that showcases impressive physicality and the worst perils of ageing, and is a testament to the talents of the make-up department.
With the dark lighting, rotting aesthetics and tight framing, the central location – and Garai’s initial premise – is reminiscent of The Vigil and Caveat.
But whereas those movies never ventured too far into the fantastical, head-scratching realm, Amulet started to lose me during its third act.
It’s hard to reflect on here without giving away spoilers but the film veers off into a completely unexpected, wild direction.
There’s no doubt Garai shoots some indelible imagery, and turns the perception of her characters upside down, however it doesn’t mesh well with the slow-burn, edgy story we’ve invested in.
Amulet isn’t a bad movie – far from it – and it’s a very promising start behind the camera by Garai.
But I’ve never been a fan of films that are too weird and take you out of the world you’ve been watching – and Amulet’s climax plunges too far down the rabbit hole.
●Pop me an email at ian.bunting@ reachplc.com and I will pass on any movie or TV show recommendations you have to your fellow readers.