The Dreadful
The brief
Natasha Kermani trades her modern horror sensibilities for grimy medieval dread, and the shift feels surprisingly natural as Sophie Turner and Kit Harington navigate a curse-soaked tale of survival and revenge. The film moves with the slow burn patience of folk horror, building an atmosphere thick enough to choke on while Marcia Gay Harden delivers the kind of steely matriarch performance that could curdle milk. Turner sheds any Sansa Stark softness here, anchoring the supernatural chaos with a feral desperation that makes every threat feel personal. Perfect for anyone who wished The Witch had more knights and less theological hand-wringing.
The verdict
If you crave atmospheric folk horror that prioritizes creeping dread over jump scares and can handle a deliberately paced medieval nightmare, this is a fantastically grimy descent into curse-laden terror. If you need faster pacing or prefer modern horror settings, the slow burn medieval atmosphere will likely test your patience despite strong performances from the cast.
Watch with
- 👥 Horror fans who appreciate slow-burn atmosphere
- ⚠️ Avoid with those sensitive to medieval brutality
Heads up
- Medieval violence and brutality (moderate)
- Supernatural/occult themes and imagery (frequent)
- Intense psychological horror elements (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Natasha Kermani
- Cast
- Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurence O'Fuarain, Jonathan Howard, Catherine McDonough, Zachary Cohen
Official synopsis
In medieval England, Anne and her domineering mother-in-law Morwen struggle to survive on the outskirts of
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Morrigan (2026)
Both explore ancient curses and supernatural forces threatening isolated women.
