An Taibhse

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.

An Taibhse is a captivating folk horror set during the harrowing end of the famine era, weaving a chilling tale that follows a daughter and father as they caretake a stately manor. The film starts as a slow burn, yet manages to maintain a grip on the viewer with an underlying sense of mystery and intrigue.

The first half of "An Taibhse" feels like a traditional horror film, replete with jump scares and familiar genre tropes. Despite this, there is a palpable sense of something more profound lurking in the subtext, which keeps the audience engaged. The typical horror elements serve as a prelude to something far more sinister.

As the story progresses into the second half, it takes a darker, more disturbing turn. The last 20 minutes are particularly shocking, delivering a complete curveball that dives into the real-life trauma and horror of the famine era, shedding light on some of the often unspoken atrocities of that time. This shift is genuinely unsettling and powerfully executed.

The film excels in its foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the twist while employing enough misdirection to keep viewers guessing. This balance between foreshadowing and surprise is masterfully handled, making the twist both inevitable and shocking.

"An Taibhse" is a highly recommended watch, especially for those interested in horror that delves deeper into historical trauma. Additionally, it is a pleasure to see another film being made in the Irish language, contributing to the richness of Ireland's cinematic and cultural heritage.

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.

As an American with Irish ancestry (my grandmother was from Mayo), I've always been drawn to anything that connects me to that side of my roots. Watching An Taibhse (The Ghost) felt like more than just watching a film it felt like stepping into a part of my heritage.

The story follows a father and daughter who move into a big house during a winter. You can feel the sense of dread building slowly. It's the first Irish-language horror film I've seen, and hearing the language used like that especially in such a haunting poetic way made the whole experience feel even more authentic.

The acting is brilliant, especially from the leads, and the cinematography is just stunning. You can almost feel the cold coming off the screen. It's quiet, eerie, and beautifully shot the kind of horror that creeps under your skin rather than relying on jump scares.

If I had one small criticism, it's that the middle act dragged a little bit. But honestly, the payoff in the final act made it totally worth it.

All in all, a powerful and original film. Maith thú to everyone involved (I hope my Gaelic is correct!). 9/10.

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.