Moloch

This is strictly in the folk horror sub-genre, so don't go in expecting a slash-em-up. It takes a novelistic approach with a handful of characters who make unusual discoveries in a nearby peat bog. It's about 'digging' around for the secrets of the past and the consequences they have for Sallie Harmsen and her family.

Harmsen carries the whole movie and does a fantastic job. Give her more roles! The rest of the cast is good too, my only criticism being Alexandre Willaume's character being a bit boring and unecessary. If you cut his role out of the film entirely, not much would change. The cinematography is excellent and goes for lots of warm colours and coziness which I found refreshing.

The story unfolds slowly and as a result feels a little overlong, but it's a solid tale. It's dual language, which I enjoyed but some people don't like that (up to you). It's classic horror, much more M R James than James Wan. Thrilling? No. Scary? Not really. It's thoughtful and a bit sad. I liked it because it's an actual folk horror that isn't treated like a theme-park ride.

In Director Nico van den Brink's MOLOCH, Betriek (Sallie Harmsen) encounters several strange, inexplicable occurrences, some that threaten her mother's life. Meanwhile, in a nearby bog, ancient bodies are being uncovered by an archaeological team led by Jonas (Alexandre Willaume). These bodies all share something in common that could be related to what's happening to Betriek's family.

Is there a curse on them?

MOLOCH is a very unsettling horror film, full of omens and building dread. The supernatural elements are woven into the story in a believable way that never comes off as absurd. The characters react like real human beings who find themselves in bizarre, dangerous circumstances, not like action heroes.

If you enjoy movies like HEREDITARY, THE WITCH, A DARK SONG, or THE EMPTY MAN then this should be on your watchlist...

This movie really took me by surprise. At the beginning it looks like an ordinary typical horror movies but it's not. The storyline is great until the end. The plot twist is unpredictable. Great acting. Really recommend this movie. Well done.

It's funny how some reviewers write about 'cliches' here...what, in this day and age, hasn't borrowed from the past?

Another funny review was the one who wrote that they might've liked it more if it wasn't in Dutch...i'll let you figure out the humor in that on your own...(btw...there ARE subtitles available if you're watching it with a player that can handle subs. Like a vlc player. Free to download. Great player).

I'm a big fan of taking projects on their own merits...and this one puts a number of classic elements of horror together in a way that, for me, was pleasing... having lived here, in the Netherlands, for over 20 years, it was also very refreshing to see a movie come from here containing some of the 'folksy' dynamics i love so much about this country. Not only was it set here, but it WASn't set in one of the cities...THAT was extremely pleasing.. decent story, well done. Thanks. Hope to see more from the makers of this film...

This was better than expected. I was expecting a more Dick Maas kinda horror, since Dutch horror movies are not known for their finesse. But this would be a pretty decent Hollywood movie, so for a Dutch production: bravo! I am also in love with Sallie Harmsen now <3. Be sure to check it out when it hits Netflix or sth! 8/8,5.