I just walked out of 'The Dreadful' and honestly, I need a minute. My heart is still doing this weird little thump-thump-thump thing. I wasn't expecting to be this unsettled by a medieval horror film. It's not the jump-scare kind of fear that fades when the lights come up; it's this heavy, damp, atmospheric dread that's clinging to me like the fog in the movie's woods. I keep thinking about Sophie Turner's eyes in that final shot—the sheer, quiet terror in them. I might need a second coffee just to feel normal again.
🎬 Watch the Official Trailer
What's The Dreadful About?
Set in a grim, muddy corner of medieval England, the film follows Anne, played by Sophie Turner, who's trapped in a bleak existence with her controlling mother-in-law, Morwen. Their fragile survival is shattered when a soldier from Anne's past, Kit Harington's character, returns from war, bringing with him a supernatural curse that manifests through a truly unsettling, silent knight. It's less about battles and more about the horror of being a woman with no power in a brutal world.
What Works in The Dreadful
- ✓ Sophie Turner's performance is a revelation. Her quiet desperation and growing strength felt painfully real, not like an actress playing a part.
- ✓ The atmosphere is a character itself. The constant drizzle, the mud, the oppressive grey skies—you can almost smell the damp wool and decay.
- ✓ The horror is psychological and slow-burn. The dread comes from what you don't see and what you imagine, which is far scarier.
- ✓ Marcia Gay Harden is terrifying as the mother-in-law. Her cruelty is so mundane and domestic, which makes it even more chilling.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The pacing is deliberate, which I appreciated, but some viewers might find the first act a bit too slow to build.
- ✗ Kit Harington's character felt a little underwritten. I wanted more from his past with Anne to really feel the weight of his return.
- ✗ The 'mysterious knight' is visually amazing, but the mythology behind the curse could have been fleshed out a touch more for my taste.
Standout Moments & Performances
There's a scene where Anne is simply washing clothes in a stream, and the knight is just standing motionless among the distant trees. Nothing happens, but the tension was unbearable. I realized I'd stopped breathing. Another moment that got me was a quiet conversation between Anne and Morwen over a meager supper. The way Harden delivers a line about 'the price of safety' with a cold smile made my skin crawl. It was horror in a whisper, not a scream, and it's stuck with me.
Main Cast: Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurence O'Fuarain, Jonathan Howard
Direction, Music & Visuals
Natasha Kermani's direction is masterful in building mood. The cinematography is all muted earth tones and deep shadows—you feel the cold and the filth. The sound design is a star; the creak of leather, the squelch of mud, the absence of a typical 'scary' score makes every little noise terrifying. The performances are uniformly strong. Turner carries the film with a raw, physical performance, and Laurence O'Fuarain, as the knight, is haunting without saying a single word. He moves all wrong, and it's deeply upsetting.
Director: Natasha Kermani
Genres: Horror
Who Should Watch The Dreadful?
If you love atmospheric, folk-horror films like 'The Witch' or 'The Northman' but from a fiercely female perspective, this is for you. It's perfect for viewers who prefer psychological dread and historical grit over cheap jumps. Fans of character-driven horror where the real monster is often human society will find a lot to chew on here.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a fast-paced, action-packed horror with lots of gore and clear explanations, give this a pass. It's a slow, moody, and often bleak character study that requires patience. It's not a fun, Friday-night scare.
Final Verdict
I would absolutely recommend 'The Dreadful,' but with the caveat that you need to be in the right headspace for it. It's a demanding, emotionally draining film that won't entertain you in a conventional way, but it will haunt you. The performances and the oppressive atmosphere are top-notch. Would I watch it again? Not anytime soon—it's a lot to process—but I'm glad I experienced it. It's a film that earns its title.
