Set during a medieval war and released this year, The Deadful follows Sophie Turner, who plays the role of Anne, a woman living in poverty with her mother-in-law as she awaits the return of her husband from war. Her world is turned upside down when her friend, Kit Harington, who plays Jago, gives her the news that her husband is dead.
Our Fascination with Medieval Media
The medieval period ended centuries ago, but our fascination with it has only grown since then. The Medieval Podcast: Hosted by Danièle Cybulskie has grown its audience substantially over the years. Metal bands like Feuerschwanz also put a big focus on the medieval era with their music.
In iGaming, slot titles like Tarasque, one of the many medieval-themed online slots UK players can access, also put a focus on the era. The slot has a medieval backdrop, as well as ancient cityscapes that show what life was like at the time. The title also features peasants and knights, both of which were synonymous with the era.
When examples like this are considered, it’s easy to see why podcasters, filmmakers, authors, and creators are continually trying to revisit the period, as it still continues to capture our imagination.
In the story of The Deadful, which was filmed in the UK, there are elements of grief, temptation, survival, and even fear, as the characters try to move forward in their lives while dealing with war and the harsh realities of life at the time.
A Drama-Filled Horror that’s Not to Be Missed
Harington does a great job of getting across the emotional complexity of his character, and Sophie Turner also uses her experience on Game of Thrones to her advantage, ensuring that audiences feel every bit of what the characters are going through.
Marica Gay Harden also does a fantastic job of portraying Morwen, the mother-in-law who, at times, is rather unhinged.
Laurence O'Fuarain, an Irish actor who plays the role of Seamus, also injects a bit of life into the movie at all the right times. Even though there are a few predictable jump scares, they are done well enough to get the point of the story across. The sound design for the movie is also very good in the fact that it supports the tension.
Even though The Dreadful does have its flaws, and at times, the movie does drop a bit in momentum, the style works very well. By blending gothic horror with the morality of the medieval era, the story builds genuine intensity that doesn’t always rely on human characters. The fact that the characters are also fighting for their lives because of disease, starvation, and poverty as well really does make it a well-rounded movie that’s worth watching if you are a fan of Game of Thrones or horror in general.
Kit Harington and Sophie Turner also bring a level of familiar energy, which makes the movie feel familiar, with strong chemistry from the leading roles.
Right now, The Dreadful is available to stream on Prime Video, and you can also rent it on either Apple TV or Google Play.
