Cast
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Elisha Cuthbert
as Keira
Eoin Macken
as Brian
Dylan Fitzmaurice-Brady
as Steven Woods
Tara Lee
as Erica
Michael-David McKernan
as Michael
Andrew Bennett
as Detective Brophy
Aaron Monaghan
as Dr. Fournet
Marie Mullen
as Rose Fetherston
Amy Conroy
as Nurse
Seán Doyle
as Simon
Kurt Walsh
as Baphomet
Noor Truijens
as Baphomet (Voice)
Chris McHallem
as John Fetherson (Voice)
Vivian Drew
as Ellie's Friend (Voice)
Steve Gunn
as Rob Clayton (Voice)
Crew
Director
- Brendan Muldowney
Producer
- Conor Barry
- Richard Bolger
Reviews
EmmanuelGoldstein
**Classic horror formula brought back to haunt our modern times**
I do feel this movie has a potential to one day become a classic of it's own. A good horror movie takes the things that plague the everyday lives of it's contemporary audience and exposes their dark side, but without spelling things out. Resulting in the audience feeling very uneasy, but not knowing exactly why. All classic horror movies pull that off and this one does an equally good job targeting a modern audience with modern issues.
Like with all horror movies that apply this formula (and all the good ones ALWAYS do) this movie therefore relies on building things up in the first act and having the audience relate to the characters and their relatable everyday issues and interpersonal conflicts. Which might seem dull (especially for today's audience with its notoriously short attention span) but it's an absolutely crucial and necessary build up for the 3rd act in which the *bleep* will finally hit the fan.
So while the everyday problems of an average modern family might seem boring to sit through and might seem like they have nothing to do with the scary monster that will figuratively and/or literally, but inevitably show up at the end, it in reality has EVERYTHING to do with it and actually any monster is merely the personification of the dark aspects of the issues that are addressed in the first act.
Also, like so many horror movies nowadays, this movie includes some references to the occult. But unlike in many other horror movies, these occult aspects are not in any way glorified, yet are portrayed fairly accurately, though of course taken with a slight artistic license. Which I think is what you would want. I mean after all and assuming black magic is real, you wouldn't want your audience accidentally summoning the dark forces after casually reciting some dialogue from the latest haunted house movie :-)
Aug 3, 2023
Niko
The Cellar is an old-school horror movie that does a lot of things right.
This film started out with a bit of a generic horror house intro with cliché spooky music but went a lot deeper than I expected. It's got some solid twists on classic tropes, a mysterious atmosphere and some actually scary scenes that don't have to rely on cheap jumpscares. While all of the cast is solid, I feel like Tara Lee deserves a special mention for her performance on the stairs to the cellar. She made a simple scene insanely tense just by delivering such a great performance.
The buildup throughout the story was very well done and the payoff was great as well.
I just wish that the ending explained a bit more of the background and why these things were happening. The character of the old lady who owned the house before was a bit wasted and didn't really add as much to the story as I had hoped.
I can recommend this film to any fan of the genre. I was well entertained throughout.
Nov 11, 2024
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. The Cellar presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Brendan Muldowney brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2022, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Cellar took approximately 26 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 94 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 140 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2022, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Cellar shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Unbelievable 3: The Skeleton Road, which focuses more on action than character development, The Cellar offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Echo Torch and Malicious explore similar territory, The Cellar stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: March 25, 2022
- Runtime: 1h 34m
Where to Watch
