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.

Actually that is the international title of this Irish movie - Ghost. That said and without giving too much away, there is more to this than some paranormal activity ... even though we only have two characters (on the living side of things) for the most part ... this knows how to tell a story. The cinematography and the sound design are quite amazing for this.

The director was quite proud to have been able to do this in Irish ... for the first time ever even? While the main male character spoke it anyway (we had subtitles .. even English seem to struggle with it), but the female lead had to do it phonetically or learned it - and I think you can tell. It didn't bother me, but just in case you notice and you are bothered by it. She is doing an amazing job - not just language wise and no pun intended.

I would think that most who have seen a few movies, will know where this is heading or rather ... let's call them plot points of the movie. There is a ladder scene early on (window washing) that is a clear indicator ... the way it is shot ... we got the memo ... still the movie does not lose any of its punch or powerful message ... stick up for yourself ... even if others don't believe you ... you have to fight .. because no one else will!

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!

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.

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.