’Sacrifice’ Review: Dirs. Andy Collier & Toor Mian [FrightFest Halloween 2020]

In the wake of his mother’s death, Isaac (Ludovic Hughes) and his heavily pregnant wife, Emma, (Sophie Stevens) journey to a small Norwegian town to claim his inheritance. Isaac was born on the island, but left with his mother under mysterious circumstances when he was still very little. Initially seen as the enemy by the locals, he quickly finds himself somewhat of a celebrity when people learn of his lineage and links to the place. Taken in by local Sheriff Renate (Barbara Crampton), the pair begin to explore the area, learning about the mythical deity ‘the slumbering one’ to whom the people pray. Having been light on family his whole life, Isaac finds himself easily seduced by the close-knit community. Events slowly begin to take a sinister turn however, and fearing for their unborn child, Emma becomes desperate to return to the mainland. But will the townspeople, and Isaac, let them leave?

Sacrifice, also known as Colour of Madness, was inspired by the novella ‘Men of the Cloth’ by writer Paul Kane, as well as the works of H. P. Lovecraft. The result is an enigmatic and atmospheric tale of alienation, belonging, and blind faith. Directors Andy Collier and Toor Mian move the British-set location of Kane’s novella to the gorgeously ethereal locale of Norway. By shifting the setting, it allows the story to take on a more strange and sinister tone. It also allows some separation from The Wicker Man, a film which it would have otherwise been constantly compared to. 

H. P. Lovecraft was writing almost a hundred years ago and it’s a testament to his work that almost ten decades later, people are still being inspired by it. The Lovecraftian elements are plain to see, with the filmmakers even going so far as to cast horror icon Barbara Crampton. Crampton has worked on many films across the years that have been based on, or inspired by, the prolific author, and you know that if she’s agreed to star then it’s a good ode to Lovecraft. Here she takes on the role of guide, protector, and surrogate mother, all embodied within Renate, a character who is rather ambiguous as to where exactly her allegiances lie. It’s a complicated role to undertake, but Crampton is as reliable as ever. This scope of Renate’s ambiguity is played out perfectly during a very awkward dinner she hosts for Emma and Isaac. 

As good as Crampton is, she is very much a supporting character here; the story belongs to Isaac and Emma. The role of protagonist and accomplice switches several times during the narrative, which means that leads, Ludovic Hughes and Sophie Stevens, both get the opportunity to demonstrate their talents. Stevens has the more gruelling emotional workout, whilst Hughes gets to unleash his inner dark side as Isaac as he becomes more and more drawn to the strange traditions of the town. 

In addition to the stunning Nordic landscapes, Sacrifice has a strong aquatic theme running through it. There’s the obvious island setting, the place cut-off from the rest of civilization by a body of water, but Collier and Mian feature it in several different ways. The townspeople’s ritual worship of The Slumbering One revolves around aquatic activities, but the most eye-catching way the pair incorporate water is within their edits. Many key scenes are linked together by a mixture of boisterous swirling whirlpools, deep and dark ominous waters, or the serene and tranquil stillness of lakes. It’s a clever technique, and one that seamlessly stitches the film together, allowing the story to flow freely without the typical fades to black. 

The Scadinavian backdrop will undoubtedly also invoke comparisons to Ari Aster’s Midsommar, though in many ways this could be viewed as Midsommar’s opposite. For one, Midsommar is set in almost total daylight, and is bright and breezy despite it’s hidden horror, whereas Sacrifice is most definitely a wintry film, channeling it’s best Arendelle at times, and generating a misty and moody ambience. It shares the slow pace of both The Wicker Man and Midsommar; Collier and Mian tease the audience, relishing in squeezing suspense and intrigue from every inch of celluloid, in order to maximise audience participation. We all love a good mystery, and Sacrifice has that in abundance. 

Sacrifice was reviewed at Arrow Video Frightfest Halloween.