Rent Starve Acre (2023)

Interesting Pagan Horror - Starve Acre review by GI

With obvious references to The Wicker Man and Don't look Now (both 1973) this British folkloric pagan horror is an interesting and absorbing film that could have drifted into silliness if it hadn't been for the forthright and sincere central performances of Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark. They play married couple Richard and Juliette who have moved, with their young son, to the old remote house on the moors that was once Richard's father's house. The time is the 1970s. He's an archaeologist and has started a dig on the land following the writings of his father about an ancient tree and site supposedly there. When tragedy strikes the couple's lives are thrown into emotional turmoil and Richard's discovery of some ancient bones leads to strange happenings. There is a sinister and mysterious aura to this film that does draw you in although opinions may divide over the specifics which may stretch credibility a little too far but I found the film a rather intriguing and thoughtful horror story. It's not a specially frightening or scary film but it has an unsettling element and, for me, it worked well. British character actor Sean Gilder supports in a role that hints at menace.