Lorraine and Ed's relationship is robustly depicted, allowing Farmiga and Wilson to layer deeper feelings into their performances. The way they gleefully taunt sceptics makes them even more engaging, as do tense encounters when they rescue each other from perilous visions. Meanwhile, O'Connor's nicely textured turn balances Arne's haunted eyes with intelligent charm, augmented as Hook layers in earnest affection. Hilliard is terrific as an understandably frazzled kid, and Noble provides emotional gravitas as a man more connected to this case than he initially lets on.

Character complexity makes this film unusually involving, and even the most wildly ridiculous plot points are played with a straight face that almost makes us believers. There are also several points in the narrative that find vivid resonance in connections between family members. So the film might have even been moving if Chaves had grounded the story with realistic lighting and fewer simplistic jump scares. But of course audiences like to be distracted from real life by properly scary set-pieces.

themes, language, violence

5.Jun.21

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