Director Daniel Kokotajlo, well known for his riveting debut ‘Apostasy,’ is back with a haunting adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s bestselling novel “Starve Acre.”
Set in 1970s rural England, the film follows archeologist Richard and his wife Juliette as their seemingly ideal family life undergoes an unnerving transition when their son Ewan begins behaving strangely.
The couple’s relocation to the distant family estate, Starve Acre, sets the atmosphere for an exploration of grief, memory, and a frightening folkloric narrative centered on an ancient oak tree. As familial fractures deepen, Richard immerses himself in their home’s terrible history, while Juliette seeks refuge in the local community.
With a distinct sense of foreboding, Kokotajlo’s film crafts a tapestry of daring visual choices. As Richard and Juliette, Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark give stunning performances, bringing their characters to life against a backdrop of unnerving discoveries and evil forces.
“Starve Acre” has the potential to become an immediate classic of contemporary folk horror, as it offers a disturbing investigation of the limits between the known and the unknown, as well as the lengths we’ll go for reconnection in the face of darkness.
This film based on Hurley’s compelling novel, produced by Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, and Emma Duffy, is likely to have audiences on the edge of their seats.
Watch the trailer for “Starve Acre”
Writer and Director: Daniel Kokotajlo
Producers: Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Emma Duffy
Cast: Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark
Based on the novel by Andrew Michael Hurley
Release date: October 12, 2023
