Family’s Fight Against Darkness in the West

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MOVIE REVIEW
Thine Ears Shall Bleed
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): Ben Bigelow
Writer(s): Ben Bigelow, William Bigelow
Cast: Lea Zawada, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, Hannah Cabell, Andrew Hovelson, Duke Huston
Where To Watch: hits UK digital platforms on July 15, 2024, thanks to Miracle Media

RAVING REVIEW: Step back to the eerie expanses of the 1860s American West as THINE EARS SHALL BLEED, directed by Ben Bigelow, takes its audience on a grim journey. This film introduces a preacher and his family who find themselves trapped by dark forces while navigating the wilderness.

At the heart of the story is Ezekiel Thatcher, a 19th-century reverend played by Andrew Hovelson, traveling with his family—his wife Sarah (Hannah Cabell) and their children, Abigail (Lea Zawada) and Luke (Duke Huston). Their journey transforms from a spiritual quest to a terrifying ordeal when a mysterious sound they mistake for a divine sign turns out to be an ominous harbinger of evil. This pivot thrusts them into a harrowing battle against a demonic presence.

While THINE EARS SHALL BLEED strives to carve out a distinct place within the religious horror scene, it is somewhat overshadowed by contemporaries that have introduced fresh spins on occult themes and feminist angles in horror narratives. Despite Bigelow's clear ambitions, the film didn’t deliver the deeper thematic exploration and the unsettling impact one might expect.

The setting of THINE EARS SHALL BLEED a formidable character, with Bigelow leveraging the stark, isolated wilderness to craft an atmosphere filled with dread. Complemented by Jacques Brautbar’s tension-filled score, the minimalist setting enhances the film’s eerie mood, reminiscent of tactics used in iconic horror films that employ natural environments to heighten fear.

Yet, the screenplay doesn’t live up to the atmospheric setting. Dialogue that feels anachronistic and the forced insertion of contemporary values, such as the preacher’s advanced view on Indigenous rights (something that ended up feeling off instead of just being left out,) detract from the authenticity and immersion of the narrative.

Further deepening the narrative are the character arcs, particularly that of Ezekiel Thatcher, whose transformation from a devout leader to a haunted survivor, encapsulates the film's exploration of faith and fear. Each character's journey reflects the psychological torment induced by their eerie surroundings, adding layers to the storyline. This exploration of personal and collective fears could have been a cornerstone for THINE EARS SHALL BLEED, yet it often feels glossed over. Expanding these personal dramas would provide a richer emotional resonance and a more muscular connective tissue to the historical context of the setting. The film’s ability to intertwine these personal conflicts with the overarching horror elements is commendable, yet there’s a lingering sense that more could be mined from these interactions.

Despite these issues, the film benefits from strong performances, particularly from Hovelson and Zawada, whose intense portrayals anchor the film’s emotional and suspenseful moments. However, the film shies away from its potential horror heights, only briefly flirting with the more macabre possibilities of its premise, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential.

Ultimately, THINE EARS SHALL BLEED offers a visually and atmospherically rich experience but might only partially satisfy those seeking a deep, cohesive exploration of its dark themes. Its unique setting and atmospheric depth will likely appeal to those who appreciate a mood-driven narrative over full-blown horror.

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[photo courtesy of MIRACLE MEDIA]

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