DREADFUL, THE
(director/writer: Natasha Kermani; cinematographer: Julia Swain; editor: Jeff Betancourt, Gabrial de Urioste; music: Jamal Green; cast: Sophie Turner (Anne), Kit Harington (Jago), Marcia Gay Harden (Morwen), Laurence O’Fuarain (Seamus), Jonathan Howard (Brother Pentros), Zachary Cohen (Young Jago), Steven Jacobs (Priest); Runtime: 94; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Bull Blumenthal, Luke Daniels, Agam G. Simon, Sophie Turner, Patrick Hibler; Lionsgate; 2026-UK
“A 15th century story about jealousy and suspicion.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
A slow-burn Gothic horror/thriller questionably written and directed by the Iranian-American filmmaker Natasha Kermani (“Lucky”/”Imitation Girl”). The inspiration for the film comes from an ancient Shin Buddhist parable. Kermani makes it into a 15th century story that’s short on plot and long on confusion. It’s set in coastal England during the Wars of the Roses, and plays as a mood piece about jealousy and suspicion between a frightened mother-in-law and her frustrated son’s wife. It’s a loose remake of the Japanese classic ‘Onibaba’ (1964). The film reunites “Game of Thrones” stars Sophie Turner and Kit Harington.
Anne (Sophie Turner) and her needy mother-in-law Morwen (Marcia Gay Harden) live in poverty together in England, while Morwen’s son Seamus (Laurence O’Fuarain), Anne’s husband, is off at a faraway war for several years. They have not heard from him for a long time and wonder if he’s still alive.
The ladies take steps to survive on their own, as Morwen becomes worried Anne will leave her and is hostile to anyone who interferes with their closeness. Morwen supports them even if she has to cheat or murder shipwrecked sailors she spots on the beach. Anne is unhappy not having children and living in such a dreary place mostly occupied by women, as she turns to her belief in God to give her hope to survive these bad times.
The women discover a mysterious knight in armor and on horseback, who lives in the woods near them and follows them around. They are also surprised by a visit from the deserter Jago (Kit Harington), a childhood friend and admirer of Anne’s, and learn from him Seamus was also a deserter but was killed by bandits after he escaped. Both the knight and Jago are viewed as menacing figures and possible threats to their existence, but we’re never told exactly why.
The controlling Morwen has left Anne unnerved, as she disapproves of Anne being with the shifty Jago and worries about Anne deserting her.
Nothing happens for long stretches, until an outburst of unconvincing violence erupts near the end to at least break the tedium.
Dreadful is uplifted by its haunting imagery, its nervy performance by Harden, and that Kermani brings something different to the story-telling that’s commendable even if it doesn’t always work.
REVIEWED ON 3/26/2026 GRADE: C+
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