My Take:
This is not your typical period piece. Forget beautiful gowns and candlelight romances. We are transported to 1657, to a muddy farm in Shropshire, where Fanny Lye (the brilliant Maxine Peake) lives under the iron fist of her older, stern husband. Everything changes when a young, liberated pair of fugitives arrives. What starts as a home-invasion thriller evolves into a story of radical liberation from patriarchy and religious oppression.
What's Captivating: The "Puritan-Noir" atmosphere. Shot on 35mm film, the movie has a grainy, raw texture reminiscent of 1970s folk horrors (like The Witch). Fanny’s transformation from a submissive wife to a woman aware of her power and desires is shown without compromise. The theme of sexual awakening and exploring new boundaries is central to her inner freedom.
A Word of Caution: The film is brutal, both physically and psychologically. Scenes of domestic abuse and the bleak, muddy landscape can be overwhelming. The pacing is deliberate, built on growing unease, which requires patience from the viewer.
Verdict: 8.2/10 🏳️🌈
Powerful, radical, and visually hypnotic cinema about reclaiming one's body and voice. A real treat for fans of ambitious indie film.
🔍 Did you know...?
Director Thomas Clay spent years researching radical religious and political movements from the English Civil War era (such as the Ranters and Quakers) to ensure the fugitives' dialogue and philosophy were as authentic as possible. Interestingly, the entire house and farm were built from scratch for the film using 17th-century methods, and the actors spent their time on set in harsh, authentic weather conditions, which is palpable in every frame.
