La Huésped Maldita

This film follows a young girl growing up in a household where there has been some kind of "incident".

This film is quite slow and plays out in a very careful considered manner.

Now this is not particularly scary or thrilling in any superficial way but is very creepy on more intimate levels.

Like listening to a person who tells a story in a soft voice, you have to sit quietly and pay attention.

The story is very conservative with its plot elements - it would have been easy to make the dad an alcoholic or the sister an abusive drug pusher but not every story has to be based on a tragedy of epic human failings.

When supernatural things do happen (and they are relatively small things) they have a much heavier impact than most horror movies.

Some of the scenes are very claustrophobic and lull you in to a false sense of security before suddenly, but subtly, revealing that things can turn quickly. I had shivers down my spine on a few occasions.

Other reviewers have said this is boring and slow and not worth your time and I do get that but, rather than a big heaping trifle with sparklers sticking out of it, this movie is more like a plate of cheese and biscuits - but a very tasty one.

The cast is great (especially Kiera and Sienna) the production doesn't try too hard making this an easy watch.

I enjoyed this a lot and considering its cost I think everyone involved has made something to be proud of.

The movie ran a little bit on the slow side, but maintained it's creepy atmosphere. Its not a bad story line but It's very British. I'm a firm believer that you have to be both like and understand the dry British wit, humor, and culture to enjoy any British film. A lot of Americans don't have that ability. Case in point, the reviewer from earlier this evening who gave the film 1 star and stopped watching because of a black female Bishop. For his, and everyone's information, the church represented in the movie is not the Roman Catholic Church. It's the Anglican Church of England. In the jolly ol C of E, they began ordaining their first women into the priesthood in 1994. So, it is entirely possible that they have a Bishop whom is both female and black. The C of E also allows their priests to get married and have families. So it is also very possible that the girls father is a priest in good standing. Despite all that. With any horror movie it's a good rule of thumb not to think too deeply or take it too seriously and try to enjoy the scary stuff.

As much as many horror genre fans hate to admit it, ghosts stories are deeply spiritual.

There's has been a resurgence of interest in the ghost story as an exploration of mortality in recent years. Films such as The Dark and the Wicked, Saint Maud and Relic for example all address death and loss almost exclusively as a spiritual experience.

In Martyrs Lane, all the usual Horror tropes are stripped bare, leaving only the only true significance of any ghost story; a contemplation on death.

It occasionally makes for some uncomfortable viewing. Perhaps one of the more successful aspects of this story was the way it incorporated faith and religion.

I think we've grown used to seeing the religion as some kind of superpower in the fight against demonic possession, here through, faith is effectively powerless as an instrument of change.

The acting performances and direction are incredible.

This is a touching exploration of our place in the world, our existence and a powerful reminder of how short our time on earth can me.

If you want lots going on, a quick pace & jump scares galore, this will not be for you. If however, an eerie slow build, well done for the budget & with really excellent child performances ticks some boxes, this is definitely worth a watch.

The stand out here are the central performances of the 2 child actors, both are great finds with the little angel giving tour de force eeriness for her young years. Naturally good child actors don't come along that often in the UK, so these 2 could have an amazing career in acting, if that's what they want.

Very competently made, which doesn't sound like a compliment, but very much is, when compared to other films at this level, it's way above most of its competition.

A slow creeping dread, rather than big jumps, but it's all the better for that, so take a stroll down Martyr's Lane, if you dare.

The two little girls' acting skills elevate an already engrossing story into excellence. The plot is not unique, but the production is so well done and the characters so engaging that it feels new and different.