Her stories speak to a darker side of humanity.
That hasn’t stopped filmmakers who, every few decades, revive the works of novelist Shirley Jackson. Today, when it comes to spine-tinglers, moviegoers seem to value jump scares and gore over psychological brooding. It adheres to the broad strokes of Jackson’s novel while capturing its dark heart: the supernatural is far less terrifying than what humans are capable of.If the recent failure of films such as “The Little Stranger” and “Marrowbone” has taught us anything, it’s that audiences don’t seem as thrilled with good, bone-chilling Gothic mysteries as they once were. We Have Always Lived in the Castle relies less on outright scares than on the creeping, oppressive sense that all is not what it seems. This gothic mood is sharpened by impeccable pacing vital world-building at the beginning allows the thrills and chills to run uninhibited in the final act. Stan excels at the slimier roles he may have the most straightforward character but convincingly plays against Merricat’s narration, enhancing the central mystery.ĭirector Stacie Passon captures the crumbling Americana Shirley Jackson’s work is renowned for, hiding rot behind a picture-perfect mid-century aesthetic. Glover holds Julian’s cards close to his chest, revealing more in his repetitive phrasing than by outright exposition. Whether by luck or design, some of the film’s most striking shots linger on her face and the inevitable cracked perfection is unnerving – although Daddario’s blue day dress and strikingly blue eyes coordinate ever-so-slightly too well. Daddario reflects Constance’s trauma in her entire being.
Farmiga is an engrossing, if unreliable, guide to her family Merricat’s narration is viewers’ only account, but her performance – and love of spells – hints at a deeper unease. The film is largely a four-hander, allowing its stars ample time to dive into their characters’ psyches and get under each other’s skin. She is the family’s only connection to the outside world on her weekly shopping trips, until a long-absent cousin Charles (Sebastian Stan) arrives unannounced – upsetting the household’s delicate balance. Based on Shirley Jackson’s final novel, We Have Always Lived in the Castle never leaves the perspective of 18 year old Merricat (Taissa Farmiga), who lives reclusively with her older sister Constance (Alexandra Daddario) and disabled uncle Julian (Crispin Glover).
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