An Taibhse

An Taibhse (The Ghost): This is Ireland's first and currently only fully Irish-language horror feature.1852, the Great Famine may be over but the land is devastated. Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his young daughter Máire (Livvy Hill).are lucky to get a job maintaining an isolated country mansion during the Winter. Their jarvey tells them he'll be back for them in April. Homage is being paid to The Shining here and as the narrative unfolds many of the scenes are obviously inspired by that film but it is no rip off or pastiche. Strange events occur from an early stage, a Mr Punch puppet appears from nowhere, Máire has unexplained bruises and abrasions, she seems to be attacked by an evil spirit named Alexander, This demon is no stranger to her, she had encounters with him in the past. Her father dismisses her concerns, telling her she is imagining things. She has "the Shining" though as she has visions of things yet to come. After her father has an accident all of the maintenance work falls on Máire and Éamon descends into a cycle of heavy drinking. Blood often makes an appearance here, flowing down a ladder rather than from a lift, splattered against a wall, dripping to the floor. The mansion itself is partially in a state of ruin which adds to the build up of psychological horror, there are some anachronisms here but they can be overlooked given the miniscule budget of e3,000. The vastness of the house with its numerous rooms, corridors and outhouses provides scope for entities to hide anywhere. Alexander isn't the only demon in the house, this becomes obvious after an alternate explanation for events is provided. Perhaps someone is gaslighting Máire, maybe it's a mixture of possession and everyday horror, whatever the answer Máire indeed seems to possess psychic powers. A great performance from Livvy Hill with good support from Tom Kerrisk and Anthony Murphy as a visitor to the house. This was a dark time in Ireland's history so a horror film complements Black 47 (2018), the story contained within An Taibhse though is just as relevant today. Written and Directed by John Farrelly.

I was lucky enough to catch this John Farelly movie in my local cinema. Being a fan of both horror and the Irish language, I felt I had too. Still, going in, I didn't hold high hopes and was expecting just another paint-by-numbers haunted house film, with all the usual tropes. However, without giving too much away the horror here is so much more than that and stayed with me for days afterwards. This is something I can rarely say about any film I've watched in recent years, so it's meant as high praise.

For me the Irish language added to the authenticity of the film's setting, without being a distraction. It was great hearing Gaelic spoken in a folk horror film like this, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I understood thanks to a renewed interest in recent years.

In terms of comparisons, yes there are strong parallels with 'The Shining' regarding the isolated location, and the vulnerability of the broken family who come to take care of the otherwise empty mansion over the harsh winter months. There are also shades of 'Pan's Labyrinth' here. In hindsight, being two of my all-time favourite movies, I was always going to love An Taibhse. But this film is very much its own beast too, and the disturbing nature of its psychological horror should leave even seasoned viewers of the genre with chills.

Caught An Taibhse in cinemas in Belfast and really enjoyed it! A solid horror film with great acting and seriously impressive sound design. The sound in the tunnel scenes was especially creepy, with every echo and breath building tension. The constant wind outside the house, the creaks, and the breathing all added to the atmosphere, it really got under your skin. Only downside is there weren't more screenings, a few of my mates wanted to see it too, but it was only on at 2pm on the Sunday which was a bit frustrating. Would definitely recommend if it comes back around. Tom Kerrisk, Livvy Hill, and Anthony Murphy were all brilliant, but hands down my favourite scene was the dinner table moment between Anthony Murphy and Tom Kerrisk... properly tense!!!

Such a great, intense movie! Beautifully shot with a compelling narrative. I especially loved seeing the Irish language featured - it adds a unique depth to the storytelling. Brilliant for both horror and non-horror fans alike, as it offers something for everyone. More films like this would be fantastic! The blend of culture and genre is truly captivating, making it a standout in its category. The use of Irish language enriches the film's authenticity and emotional impact, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in diverse storytelling. I loved all the jumpy moments and the sounds too. Watch it in the cinema.

An amazing movie with a powerful ending. It's not often I'm at a loss for words, but 'An Taibhse' left me speechless! The storytelling, cinematography, and performances were all first class. The film's emotional depth and unexpected twists kept me captivated from start to finish and had the audience at the edge of their seats throughout the screening! It's also incredible to see more art in the Irish language being released, which makes it so special. This movie is a testament to the talent and creativity present in Irish cinema, and it deserves all the praise it's receiving. Highly recommended!