By Becca Johnson August 22, 2024
Directed by Joanne Mitchell and based on her own short film named ‘Sybil’, Broken Bird is a gothic slow-burn horror starring Rebecca Calder (Wrath of Man) in the leading role. Calder plays Sybil Chamberlain, who works in a lonely job at an undertakers, taking solace where she can. That premise, as vague as it is, suits the movie well, as it’s definitely one worth heading into as blind as possible. Perfectly acted, suitably eerie and utterly unique in premise and character, Broken Bird may just be one of FrightFest’s best hidden gems.
Review
Lead actress Rebecca Calder is not given an easy task, as Sybil is a quiet, introverted individual who despite having some hobbies, is heavily burdened by trauma due to a tragedy she endured at a young age. This has caused an aching void of loneliness that not even her adoration for poetry can fill, and the further the run-time progresses, the more difficult it is for Sybil to control her desires, which heavily revolve around a fascination with the undead. Calder is utterly phenomenal as Sybil, delivering a nuanced, memorable performance that is able to unsettle you to your very core. Sybil’s slow descent into madness is the highlight of the film, with Calder absolutely nailing this whilst always remaining poised, calm and natural. This ultimately adds another layer of fear factor into the mix, as Sybil commits acts most wouldn’t even dream of, often with no remorse, regret or even a second thought. Calder captures this element of Sybil so naturally, often leading you to question what those around you are really capable of. James Fleet (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Sacharissa Clayton (Avenue 5) are also great in their supporting roles, adding more to this story than you may initially think when they’re introduced.
Writers Joanne Mitchell and Dominic Brunt employ clever story-telling whilst letting this gothic tale unfold. We are gradually drip-fed hints and glimmers of information as the story progresses, yet are still gifted with a fantastic climax that not only confirms our worst fears, but delivers even more than we bargained for. It has a really nice way of keeping the audience on their toes, at first developing two characters with storylines that don’t seem to fit together, and slowly letting us in on why they may be connected. This adds an interesting element of mystery to the story, and thankfully, both co-existing stories have enough development to let us get behind both, and yearn for the answers. It’s not only the central storyline that plays out meticulously but the horror, too. What appears on the surface to be more of a character-driven thriller has the ability to disgust you once it draws to a close, as it gradually filters in more violence and gore, and ends on an utterly harrowing, spine-chilling and shocking climax. The use of practical effects throughout is commendable, and when it’s incorporating gore and scares, it does so with confidence and success.
Don’t be put off by the slower pace, as there’s plenty to keep you invested throughout the whole run-time. Broken Bird has a very tangible atmosphere, that’s apparent even from the first few frames. It throws the audience into an unnaturally unsettling location with an unnaturally unsettling main character, letting you know that something is not quite right, even if you can’t put your finger on it just yet. It completely commits to its promise of adopting a gothic tone, as the costuming, setting, story-line and score all add beautifully to this. Sybil’s outfits are simply stunning, with their smart and faultless aesthetic perfectly matching the personality of the wearer. The funeral parlor setting is utilised very well; we spend a lot of time here, and despite the great set design, it never feels comfortable. Gothic horrors are few and far between in modern day cinema, so it’s refreshing to find one that’s able to provide everything you could need from a movie of this sub-genre, whilst delivering a unique story all of its own. From it’s central performance down to its spooky climax, it’s far from traditional but also feels reminiscent of the classic gothic horrors we know and love.
There are occasions in which Broken Bird feels a little incoherent, as it may seem difficult to put the pieces together during the first couple of acts. The slower pace may also not be suited to all viewers, particularly those who appreciate more frequent scares. However, when given the patience and the willingness to sit with the story, Broken Bird transforms into an utter triumph. Rebecca Calder is mesmerising and memorable in the starring role, the visuals are stunning, the plot is both satisfying and unique, and the ending is one of the most memorable, cold and chilling of this years horror releases thus far. Broken Bird deserves to be on every horror fans radar.
Star Rating
Broken Bird releases in cinemas August 30
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