Review: The Secret Of Marrowbone (2017)

A young man has to protect his brothers and sister and also hide the fact that their mother has died until he reaches the age of 21. However, the house in which they live has a presence there that threatens them...

I was part of an article for my local newspaper, regarding horror films. During it, I stated that a film doesn't always have to be original, but for a film to work for me, you need to understand and care about the characters, otherwise the audience won't be on their 'side' as it were and won't care what happens to them. I also have some views on trailers that can mislead you into thinking you are getting one type of film and you get another instead.

I bring both points up here as both directly related to The Secret Of Marrowbone. In it's trailer, it implies that this is a haunting ghost story, that might be an atmospheric horror film. It is a haunting film, ghosts do play their part, but it is not a horror film. If it is supposed to be, it fails on that level as it is never scary.

It works much better if you consider it a drama/mystery film. And yet, the film, written by Sergio G Sanchez (who also wrote the terrific chiller, The Orphanage) has a weakness at its heart in that the story twists and turns can be seen coming if you know this type of film.

However, Sanchez fares better as director. He takes his time telling the story, never rushing it. While the plot twists and turns may be predictable, they do work well within the story, they aren't cheats, they don't come out of nowhere. They make sense.

Sanchez also builds to an ending that not only works, but one that will leave you emotionally shattered, even if you see it coming. It's an ending that works well with the story and one I liked a great deal.

The film has a terrific cast, headed by George MacKay. He's becoming a terrific actor and he carries the film as Jack the eldest of the children. There is good support from Anya Taylor-Joy as Allie, a woman Jack has fallen for as well as Mia Goth, Charlie Heaton and Matthew Stagg as the sister and brothers. The acting is first rate.

The score from Fernando Velazquez is a very good, atmospheric one and the film is superbly shot by Xavi Gimenez. The whole film looks great, with a good production design.

I said at the start a film doesn't have to be original, so long as you have character's you care about. I've also said that even if you know where the story is going is fine, so long as the journey is worth taking.

The Secret Of Marrowbone may be a story where you can see what's coming but personally, I didn't mind that when the journey is as emotional and as good as this.

Recommended.

Rating: 4/5