MOVIE REVIEW
The Soul Eater (Le mangeur d'âmes)
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Genre: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 48m
Director(s): Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Writer(s): Annelyse Batrel, Ludovic Lefebvre, Alexis Laipsker 
Cast: Virginie Ledoyen, Paul Hamy, Sandrine Bonnaire, Malik Zidi, Emmanuel Lanzi, Christophe Favre, Jérémy Margallé, Francis Renaud, Elisabeth Duda, Lya Oussadit-Lessert
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available via VOD December 10, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Nestled in the eerie quiet of the small mountain village of Roquenoir comes a chilling tale about ancient evils and the resurgence of The Soul Eater. Directors Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo veer from traditional horror stories into a suspenseful concoction of crime and mystery. The shift is refreshing, proving their filmmaking prowess isn’t confined to splatters of blood and screams in the dark.

As the unsettling calm of Roquenoir is shattered by a string of mysterious events, THE SOUL EATER unfolds its dark shadow. The plot intertwines the destinies of Franck de Rolan (Paul Hamy,) a determined gendarme grappling with the disappearance of local children, and Elisabeth Guardiano (Virginie Ledoyen,) a relentless detective investigating a double homicide. Their investigations draw them into a vortex of ancient legends and sinister truths lurking in the village’s shadows.

The film, steeped in an atmosphere thick with tension, leverages its setting. Cinematographer Laurent Barès uses a muted color palette to paint a picture of isolation that borders on the claustrophobic. The haunting visuals are punctuated by a production design that is as meticulous as it is macabre, transforming the mythical into the tangible.

Despite the film’s strengths, character development in THE SOUL EATER teeters on the edge of the underwhelming. Ledoyen's portrayal of Detective Guardiano feels somewhat surface-level, lacking the layers that might make her internal conflicts resonate with the audience. While more robust, Hamy’s portrayal of de Rolan misses the mark in fully exploring the depths of his character's motivations.

The screenplay, adapted from Alexis Laipsker’s novel, is ambitious but becomes its own worst enemy. The story introduces intricate concepts and promising twists that aim to enrich the narrative but sometimes lead to confusion instead. Though crafted to elevate the suspense, these plot twists occasionally stretch believability to the point of breaking, muddying what could have been a smooth blend of horror and thriller elements.

Yet, for all its struggles, THE SOUL EATER manages to distill moments of genuine suspense, showcasing Maury and Bustillo’s flair for creating visually arresting scenes that pierce the veil of the ordinary. These moments, while sporadic, serve as stark reminders of the directors' capability to conjure scenes of profound impact rooted in the core of horror.

THE SOUL EATER is a bold leap into psychological thriller and mystery, mapped out with a backdrop of dread and intrigue. While the film crafts an immersive world brimming with tension, its execution is tarnished by uneven pacing and character portrayals that fail to delve deep. For enthusiasts of Maury and Bustillo’s earlier work, this film offers a novel, albeit imperfect, cinematic journey that highlights their capacity for genre experimentation. The project stands as a flawed yet bold testament to their creative spirit, eager to redefine cinematic storytelling, even if it doesn’t quite capture the full promise of its intriguing setup.

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[photo courtesy of CAPELIGHT PICTURES, PHASE 4 PRODUCTIONS]

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