Whereas once Shudder was regularly churning out new releases onto their platform, in recent months the frequency has dissipated somewhat. There has not, however, been a dip in quality with this week’s freshest addition, History of Evil, being a prime example.
Set in the year 2045, History of Evil offers a chilling version of the future, which feels horribly possible. Following decades of corruption and civil war the United States has fallen under Authoritarian rule and has been transformed into a neo-fascist state known as the North American Federation. The country has become so locked down that state sanctioned local militias roam, spreading terror. News reports heard on the radio during early scenes recount awful events, but ones that aren’t too far removed from the current news cycle. This alone is enough to get the hairs rising on the back of your neck, but History of Evil has much more to say.
It isn’t all doom and gloom though as a revolutionary group known as The Resistance are trying to fight back. Amongst them is activist Alegre (Jackie Cruz), a woman who after writing a politically charged book, found herself incarcerated. After a number of years away, Alegre is smuggled out of prison and reunited with her husband Ron (Paul Wesley) and their six year old daughter, Daria (Murphee Bloom). The three are whisked away to a safe house to await extraction, but upon arrival, strange things start occurring…
The idea for History of Evil was inspired by writer and director Bo Mirhosseni’s parents’ experiences during the Iranian revolution. This strand of realism enriches History of Evil, making it compelling long before the spookier elements begin to reveal themselves. A key contributor to the intrigue of Mirhosseni’s debut is the swapping of gender roles. Alegre is the political criminal, a role typically played by men. Similarly, it is Ron that is left at home with the baby. It’s a great subversion that works as the jumping off point for the family drama to come. The family trio are the heart of History of Evil. Their early reunion is swathed in emotion, longing and in the case of mother and daughter, awkwardness. The easy chemistry between Cruz, Wesley, and Bloom means that the audience instantly buys them as a family unit, and this cohesion is vital. What begins as a 24 hour stay in their secluded locale quickly becomes longer. Unfortunately for Ron there is something insidiously evil that resides on the property that wants to hook its claws into him.
History of Evil wears its The Shining influences on its sleeves, but that is not a bad thing. Rather than trying to rip off Kubrick’s work, Mirhosseni instead pays respect to the film. His debut works as a modern reworking that potentially corrects some mistakes from the classic. Author Stephen King has gone on record as being displeased with Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance. King believed that Nicholson was too sinister from the get go, and so his transition didn’t really work. Here though, in Ron, there is a lot more light and shade. Paul Wesley is exceptional in the role. Initially Ron is a beautifully, gentle, and kind-hearted man overjoyed to reconnect with his wife and who dotes on his daughter. However, as a toxic entity begins to influence him, he changes. Wesley communicates this transition perfectly.
Woven around this family are ghosts from the past; Mirhosseni deftly integrates paranormal moments. An early encounter during a playful game between mother and daughter comes from nowhere, but packs a chill. Later instances are not quite as intense, but still add plenty of flourishes to the film. Outside of the supernatural elements, History of Evil remains a horribly tense viewing experience. An early checkpoint scene is thick with dread to an almost suffocating degree. The decline of the family unit also enables the tension to build further, ensuring that an incident during the final act lands with a ferocious emotional gutpunch.
A complex concoction, History of Evil straddles several genres to craft a story packed full of emotion and dread. The political angle further emboldens Mirhosseni’s debut, making it a dreadfully pertinent exploration of horrors both real and imaginary.
History of Evil
Summary
History of Evil is an emotionally and politically charged horror that places the decline of the family front and centre. A superb performance from Paul Wesley enriches the piece, helping make it a modern day rewiring of The Shining.
History of Evil arrives on Shudder from Friday 23rd February 2024.
