The Wind

"The Wind" follows a young woman and her husband who attempt to make a settlement in New Mexico in the late 19th century. They are the only people on the plain until another young couple arrives and moves into an adjacent derelict cabin. Both women share a common experience: There seems to be something living in the surrounding land that is trying to destroy them.

First off, I am a major fan of Western horror films, and frankly believe there are not enough of them--this period in U.S. history is ripe for horror movies, but it doesn't seem to be mined nearly as much as it could--so from that alone, I was thrilled at the concept of this film.

Director Emma Tammi really nails it here in terms of mood and atmosphere; the film is impeccably dressed, beautifully shot, and evokes a consistent dread that seems to close in on the protagonist. The narrative is told in a fragmented, non chronological manner, which might frustrate some, but it allows for a few clever juxtapositions and plot developments that wouldn't be possible otherwise, so it serves a purpose. Caitlin Gerard delivers a great performance here as pioneer woman Lizzy, the tormented lead. Hers eclipses the other performances from the small cast, and Julia Goldani Telles, though decent, seems miscast here. There are a few minor inconsistencies here in terms of the characters' appearances, as they all look far too primped and pressed for pioneers living in brutal conditions--but that aside, the period is well-represented.

The final act is where the film's screenplay starts to show its cracks. The explanation behind the events, albeit ultimately vague, is not entirely satisfying--it feels in some ways arbitrary, and the mythos is not fleshed out enough for the audience to ultimately care; it feels like a tacked-on afterthought that has little to support it. Despite this, though, I still found the film entertaining and at times thrilling. As far as Western horrors go, "The Wind" is a fine (albeit flawed) entry. 6/10.

The Wind flirts with some interesting themes about postpartum depression, female jealousy, hallucinatory paranoia, and hellfire possession. It's not about history, or pioneer life, or bloodthirsty ghosts. It's about a loneliness so overwhelming that it becomes terrifying. This excellent is indie horror .

The Wind will clearly not entice every audience. Its pacing is a slowly-drawn curtain, and its story allows the question posed in many horror films: Is the light from the sun's rise or setting?

More plainly, is the horror psychological or supernatural?

Not everyone appreciates these tactics in film-making and, while both are right up my alley, I won't blame others for losing patience. I should've also identified the non-linear storytelling from the jump as well, as that part actually does sap my personal enjoyment a tad. It's not hard to follow, yet a well-told chronological series of events tends to flow better, even if it doesn't hide a proverbial ace up its sleeve as well.

But those aren't the burning issues I take with The Wind. It's one thing to have a serviceable plot. It's another thing to immerse an audience into its setting. And The Wind simply failed to convince me that it shouldn't have been a modern re-imagining.

The set and props were convincing enough for the most part, though certain pieces (mostly linens) appeared so clean and mass-produced as to make me wince. But fine, positive points for effort.

As for character design and dialogue? Accent, mannerisms, postures, body language - none of these were researched by any stretch of the imagination. I'd say the characters were modern 20-somethings LARPing as 19th-century frontier folk, but that would be giving them too much credit, as LARPers tend to take their roles seriously and would have at least attempted some lilts or drawls. Maybe instead of asking, "Are you pregnant?" one would try, "Are ye with child?" Something to yank us out of our modern sensibilities, even if it isn't entirely accurate.

It may seem a petty reason for docking so many stars. You're entitled to that belief. But as a caution to others like myself: If you're looking to wholly step into a period piece for your horror experience, this ain't it.

A folkloric tale of madness, paranoia & things that go bump in the night, The Wind paints a menacing portrait of isolation, loneliness & their overwhelming nature with its desolate wilderness setting, ominous atmosphere, arresting camerawork, stellar sound design & excellent performances yet the story as a whole fails to deliver the maximum impact due to shortcomings of its own making, for its muddled narrative structure, inconsistent editing & overuse of flashbacks prevents it from realising its true potential.

This film may not be for every horror fan because it is slow paced and flashback oriented, which creates some confusion and boredom. However, the actors were convincing and the cinematography exuded a feeling of true desolation. Several of the scenes were nicely crafted without relying on overt gore or jump scares to frighten the audience.

I thought it was clever to blend an american western period piece with a demonic, neurotic tone.

I think this movie is definately worth a watch and is one of the more original horror films as of late.