Amulet

Amulet is a 2020 horror film that explores guilt and redemption through the eyes of a tortured veteran named Tomaz (Alec Secareanu). The movie is directed by actress turned filmmaker Romola Garai and stars Carla Juri and Imelda Staunton in supporting roles. Set in modern-day England, the film follows Tomaz as he struggles to adapt to civilian life after fighting in an unnamed conflict in Eastern Europe. Haunted by a traumatic experience that he cannot forget, Tomaz drifts from place to place, job to job, until he ends up in a dilapidated old house that is occupied by an aging woman, Magda (Imelda Staunton), and her young, mute daughter, Angel (Carla Juri).

At first, the house seems like a perfect place for Tomaz to hide away and heal, as Magda offers him a room in exchange for doing odd jobs around the house. However, as the days go by, Tomaz begins to realize that there is something deeply wrong with the house, and with Magda and Angel themselves. Strange symbols are etched into the walls and floors, and the house seems to be alive with a malevolent energy that Tomaz cannot escape. Despite his growing sense of unease, Tomaz remains intrigued by Angel, who seems to be at the center of the house's strange power. As he becomes more and more drawn to her, he begins to uncover the secrets that Magda and Angel have been hiding for years, and is forced to confront the truth about his own past and the atrocities that he has committed.

The movie is a slow burn horror film that relies on atmosphere and tension rather than gore or jump scares. The house itself is a major character in the film, and the film employs a claustrophobic, almost suffocating shooting style to emphasize its oppressive, all-consuming presence. The performances are uniformly excellent, with Alec Secareanu bringing a wounded vulnerability to Tomaz that makes his eventual transformation all the more shocking, and Imelda Staunton imbuing Magda with a steely resolve that hides a deep, abiding fear. Carla Juri is particularly impressive as Angel, conveying a range of emotions without ever speaking a single word.

What sets Amulet apart from other horror films is its thematic richness. At its core, the movie is a meditation on guilt and redemption, and the way that violence can scar both the victim and the perpetrator. The film explores the idea that evil is not just something that exists outside of us, but is also something that we carry within ourselves. Director Romola Garai treats her characters with a great deal of empathy, even as she puts them through the wringer. This empathy allows the movie to transcend genre cliches and become something more than just a simple horror film.

Overall, Amulet is a haunting, atmospheric film that ranks among the best horror movies of the year. While it may not be for everyone - it is slow-paced and intentionally vague in places - those who appreciate thought-provoking horror films that are more concerned with character and theme than blood and guts will find a lot to love here. With its strong performances, moody visuals, and rich thematic content, Amulet is a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.