Australian Scares: Review of WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD
Small country towns always seem to harbor dark secrets. And in Kate Whitbread’s female-driven psychological chiller, WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD, this could not be more evident. Tapping into the rare ‘Australian Gothic’ sub-genre of horror, this slow-burn features delivers a haunting narrative steeped in dark, painful, twisted memories and sinister secrets, while showcasing incredible local talent.
Cassandra McGrath (Wolf Creek, Scare Campaign, Vanished) stars as Claire Nash, a police officer relieved of her duties while the suicide of a young man, Luke Dawson (portrayed by Nicholas Denton), in her presence is being investigated. A phone call from her Uncle Cliff (British actor, John Voce) causes Claire to return to her hometown of Blackwood. Surrounded by bushland, Claire returns to her family’s rundown farmhouse only to find secrets from the past resurfacing.
Despite the serene setting, Blackwood feels cold, devoid of life. Its streets are empty, except for a few hallowed-eyed woman, wandering aimlessly. Their presence is unnerving, their skin a graying pallor.
It is only a matter of time before Claire begins to witness the horrors of her quaint hometown; sickening animal slayings, a blood-soaked woman hiding in her bathtub, supernatural visions appearing in the bush. The dark spirits of Blackwood are restless, and somehow are tied directly to the legacy left by Claire’s family.
The film is beautifully shot, taking advantage of the incredible, and diverse, landscape that is Australia. The choice of a cooler-toned palette builds on the atmosphere. The story, however, seems to jump all over the place, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. It did pick up considerably when it came to the supernatural elements, but not enough to unjumble what had come before it. It may take multiple viewings to answer some of the initial questions or pick up on things you may have missed the first time around.
With a folksy-horror vibe taking full effect, it wasn’t a surprise to see a twist emerge within the story. And while this was indeed clever, it was predictable, thanks to movies that may have inspired this, such as 2015’s The Witch.
Yes, I have issues with the story feeling a bit muddled, almost rushed and unfinished in parts, but I cannot take away from the moments of brilliance within Darren Markey’s script. The screenplay successfully illustrates character development while delving into the depths of mental anguish, including anxiety and depression, as well as the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
Gore fans will also be pleased. Normally films of this caliber focus more on storytelling and less on the blood splatter that seems to plague the genre. WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD, a.k.a THE UNLIT, offers up gore with the coven’s bloodlust. I was pleased to see practical effects making a return to cinema which just goes to show you don’t need a big budget to be effective.
Cassandra McGrath has always been a strong actress, playing “unravelling sanity” well, as evident by previous roles. She gives Claire a depth that is often overlooked within the horror genre and is easily the highlight of the movie. Nicholas Denton, John Voce, and Kevin Hofbauer round out the incredible casting choices.
What WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD lacks in backstory regarding the coven and the mythology of the town, or even psychology of a typical psychological slow-burn horror; it does deliver on a certain oppressive darkness that lingers long after you leave the viewing. This darkness courses through our main protagonist as well as the township of Blackwood, making this film a disturbing, yet intriguing entry to the Australian horror scene.
Rating: 3/5
WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD will be available on DVD/Digital September 7th, 2021
