The Cellar (2024): Atmospheric Horror Bar None!
For those who know me, it’s no surprise that horror is one of my favorite movie genres. Why? Because it’s easily the most flexible and creative film genre. Horror can do it all, from commentary on contemporary and anachronistic societal norms to being a vehicle that explores the darkest sides of humanity. But with so many horror films out there, it’s no surprise that many are diluting the genre with bland recycling of ideas. Until you dive into the indie horror scene, where you’ll find a treasure trove of gems, many that we’ve already reviewed here. Today we bring you another addition to our collection: Jamie Langlands’ aptly named The Cellar which perfectly illustrates the flexibility of horror.
A young woman named Abigail (played by Meghan Adara) attends a support group for alcoholics and addicts at a local church. As she listens to her colleagues’ stories, she simultaneously wrestles with her own inner demons. We then see her wake up imprisoned underground with no idea where she is or why she’s here. Upon breaking free, she wanders a series of endless labyrinthine corridors in a futile attempt to find an exit. With every twist and turn, her fate appears more and more hopeless as her captives hunt her down.
One thing that really stood out to me was the film’s use of color. Frequently, movies use color to convey certain emotions the characters are experiencing or to even distinguish settings. Both Dario Argento’s Suspiria and Michael Rock’s The Murder of the Monster are two perfect examples that do this. When we first meet Abigail in the cellar, she’s surrounded in a pale shade of blue, signifying her loneliness and despair before the film gradually shifts into a bright shade of crimson when she’s getting chased by the strangers in the catacombs. It’s a very subtle detail, but very much appreciated.
I think The Cellar is one of the most aesthetically unique horror films I’ve seen. We get to see Abigail’s living nightmare evolve from creepy underground catacombs and corridors to a Victorian Era/contemporary mansion, to a nondescript two story house. But if you thought that only the set design was unique, you’d be dead wrong. I was somehow even more impressed with how high quality the props and costumes looked. The black robes and masks were so intricately put together that I was constantly amazed at the thought that someone built them on a small budget! Much like the sets, the masks are uniquely distinguishable from one another ranging from Venetian harlequin to what appears to be post-modern plague doctor masks. Giving everyone Abigail encounters a clean, yet haunting and disturbing look.
If you go into The Cellar thinking that you will get a straightforward, easy to comprehend story…well, you’ll be in for a rough time. The film definitely doesn’t spoon feed you, it remains almost as cryptic as a FromSoftware game script. This is actually far from being bad, as it makes the story much more multifaceted and layered. But at the same time, it can easily confuse you if you’re not fully paying attention. You’ll get a rough idea of the story after your first viewing. And you’ll only start seeing the story’s meat and bones along with a clearer image of Abigail’s struggles after the second viewing. This certainly isn’t helped by how often the dialogue takes a backseat for a good portion of the film.
Where the film really excels is in its atmospheric horror. I love Jamie Langlands’ use of liminality and his focus on the space between. It creates this uncanny and eerie feeling where you feel something nefarious is hiding behind every twist and turn. The Cellar loosely borrows elements from established thrillers such as Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan and cosmic horror to further enhance its creepy and unsettling tone. The film’s slower pace only serves to amplify its atmosphere, almost akin to a Denis Villeneuve production. Every shot is given special care and attention that seamlessly transitions to the next scene. Any chance that Jamie Langlands can make a Silent Hill movie?
Without a doubt, Jamie Langland’s The Cellar is one of the most creative horror films I’ve seen. From the sets, props and cinematography all make it stand proud. Does all that glim and glam counterbalance the nonlinear and somewhat confusing storytelling? If you ask me, it certainly succeeds in keeping you entertained and locked in. Just be prepared to watch it more than once if you want a full understanding of the story. If you’re a sucker for dreadful and spine-chilling atmospheric horror, then this film might just be right up your alley!
