Raven's Hollow

This movie had all the makings of a great folk horror/ creature feature... but a few missteps sent it down the wrong forest path...

Raven's Hollow had a relatively original and intriguing plot in the grand scheme of things. Is it 100% something you have NEVER seen before? No. But there were aspects and twists to this tale that felt fresh and different. Definitely a slow burn with some good tension building and solid spook factor. The movie also looked great (quality and shots), score was on point and the special effects were pretty great as well.

I would say the biggest misstep here was the acting/ casting. Unfortunately, some very stilted performances and iffy delivery did the movie some detrimental disservices. Pretty much everyone faltered at some point (except maybe the mother) causing a continual back and forth between being in the moment and being pulled out of it. Unfortunately, the worst of the bunch was the actor who played Poe. While I don't think he did an abismal job or is a bad actor, as an actor myself I didn't find anything particularly redeeming or down to earth about his performance as a whole or really his delivery in any one moment specifically either.

I also had a bit of an issue with the ending. Not so much with the ending itself but more so the way it was delivered to us. Maybe I'm simple, but it got a bit convoluted and a tad confusing, even with the exposition being in a moderately spoonfed monologue.

At the end of the day this was a creative bit of fiction about the makings of what we know Edgar Allan Poe to be today, filled with little Easter egg references to his works if you are familiar. It was spooky and had some interesting bits throughout and if you can look past the questionable acting and the slow pace it is worth a watch. Would recommend.

Simply another well made British detective, with quite beautiful, moody and dark photography. With some really solid acting performances. A tight knit story that is quite suspenseful. What more could I wish for in a detective?

Any bad? It isnt horror, although it is listed as a horror movie on Imdb. It isnt thrilling or intensely spooky either, but it has got a constant dark mood of doom that is quite fascinating to watch.

If I have to dig deep to find anything wrong I would like to say that the moment certain evil forces became visible (half way into the movie), I was disappointed a bit, because I always hold the stance that the evil which one cant see, is much more scary than CGI monsters. And the visualisation of this evil force wasnt done with the best CGI effects available nowadays. So that was (the only) minor letdown.

All in all, simply another solid British period detective story. Fans of the genre will be pleased (I guess).

A film about a young Edgar Allen Poe who finds strange things afoot in in spooky village of Ravens Hollow.

The film has 2 main themes, the first is the main story that concerns people being killed by having their hearts torn out by the 'Raven'. The second is preoccupied by touching on Poe's inspiration for his future as a writer. Beating hearts, tick. Ravens, tick. Etc. Etc.

Kate Dickie is wonderful and as terrifying as ever, the rest of the acting, not so much.

The movie starts well enough, creates a spooky atmosphere but cannot keep the tension going to the end.

I think with a little more money to spend on a competent director, better lighting and cast there would have been a decent film here. Shame.

First and foremost, this is a very moody, atmospheric Gothic Horror film, as I mention in the title above. The lighting, cinematography, and MOST the acting is quite good. But, you need to remember, this movie is almost ALL mood. There are a few truly gruesome moments, but those expecting any level of Action at all will likely be disappointed.

That's probably why I may have scored this filma bit higher than most. Because for my personal taste, if a director can create a really effective mood, than to me that is one of the more important things I would look for in a movie like this, especially with its really heavy Gothic atmosphere. I do kind of agree though with Taske95, another reviewer here, where they state that the beginning half of the film is done really well, and the last half, although still somewhat effective, does kind of drop off a little.

I think the contrast is heightened by the extremely well done way the first half is, so that when it continues into the second half you can tell the difference. I feel that with a bit more of a deft hand at the writing (the direction is quite excellent) they could have followed through with a better 2nd and 3rd act. When they reveal something of what is actually going on, that is a good progression of the story and is intriguing, but I think what they do with it and the way they develop it is not nearly as good as the first half. There are also a TON of Poe references, so if you are into him at all, you'll like that.

But, with that said, overall I feel that the mood and time period is very authentic with excellent performances all around. With maybe the slight exception of the daughter at the inn... I just think that since all the other performances are so good, hers kind of stands out just a tad as perhaps more pedestrian and a bit superficial. But, I don't think it ruins the story or anything. But, quite honestly, I think with a MUCH stronger actress in her role, the overall effect would have been a lot better. Since her character is rather important, I feel the story would have greatly benefited with a more powerful, emotive actress, just my opinion... : )

So, if you really enjoy strongly Gothic, atmospheric Horror films and you don't mind a slow-burn story, and you like a good sense of Mystery, and you can really get into the mood of a period piece like this, AND you don't expect a lot of Action or tons of overt horror, there is a chance that you might find this one entertaining as I did.

Above average fare from Shudder... great use of light, and settings and atmosphere are exceptional for the budget.

I've always loved the appropriation of historical figures placed in fictional scenarios especially if the timeline lines up... and in this case it does indeed. A cursory search will reveal that Poe did attend West Point in 1930 and the season depicted suggests that the story takes place in Fall, which also works wonderfully.

The antagonist serving as an inspiration for Poe's famous 'Raven' - while somewhat expected - was also nicely tied in.

Slightly more on the Thriller side than Horror but come on, it's Edgar Allan Poe... it's Horror.

A bit sluggish at times but a great way to kick off this year's marathon.

6.5/10

#31DaysOfHalloween2022.