Two young women challenge the presumptions of patriarchy in Stacie Passon’s ’60s-set We Have Always Lived in the Castle, adapted from the novel by Shirley Jackson, who also penned the horror mystery The Haunting of Hill House. Incorporating elements of drama and suspense, Passon’s pic avoids directly confronting her heroines’ covertly sociopathic tendencies, preferring to view them as the outcome of internalized trauma rather than criminal intent.
In the film, 18-year-old Mary Katherine Blackwood (Taissa Farmiga) lives on a huge, secluded estate with her older sister, Constance (Alexandra Daddario), and their slightly confused, wheelchair-bound Uncle Julian (Crispin Glover). The rest of the family died of poisoning; Constance was blamed, but she was acquitted. Once a week, Mary Katherine (or "Merricat") makes a trip to town for supplies, where she must endure cruel taunts from hateful townspeople. But otherwise, she's happy. That is, until her cousin Charles (Sebastian Stan) arrives for an extended stay. Though Charles claims to be offering his help, he instead appears to be more interested in a safe full of money -- and in luring Constance away from the house. Merricat takes an instant dislike to him; she starts to use her best spells to drive him away, but she may have met her match.
Based on Shirley Jackson's great gothic novel, Stacie Passon's movie is perhaps a bit on the light side, but she nonetheless creates a strong, vivid atmosphere in which the characters can flourish. To start, her casting is spot on. The four lead performers all have a certain appealing, edgy quality to them, and none is afraid of genre or horror work. They all dive deeply into the material. We Have Always Lived in the Castle preserves Jackson's themes of evil hidden among the everyday -- not only the hate spewed by the villagers, but also the supreme ego and male entitlement embodied by Charles.
If the movie is missing something, though, it's that Charles comes across as a bit too evil. Stan plays him a bit too broadly, and since the movie is missing the voice of Merricat's deceptive narration, the portrayal is a little too out in the open. Otherwise, Passon's beautiful staging -- along with the majestic, intricate sound design -- helps convey the feel of a house that has been much the same for a very long time. And even though We Have Always Lived in the Castle has a bright, swift quality, it doesn't necessarily betray the moody heart of the story. All in all, Jackson's fans should find plenty to savour here.
If the recent failure of films such as “The Little Stranger” and “Marrowbone” has taught us anything, it’s that audiences don’t seem as thrilled with good, bone-chilling Gothic mysteries as they once were. Today, when it comes to spine-tinglers, moviegoers seem to value jump scares and gore over psychological brooding. That hasn’t stopped filmmakers who, every few decades, revive the works of novelist Shirley Jackson. Her stories speak to a darker side of humanity. Stacie Passon, director of “We Have Always Lived in the Castle,” sharply channels the author’s atmosphere of dread, paranoia, and isolation, making the past feel prescient.
I was surprised to find that none of the characters were ultimately redeemable and that I liked it. Having not read the book, I tried guessing what was really happening, being open to multiple possibilities, and while I had guessed some things, I didn't anticipate to still be terrified.
The off-kilter mood of the film is carried in every detail, from directing, acting, cinematography, score, and more. This isn't a no-brainer kind of thriller, nor is it more intelligent - it just puts your mind "on the moon," so to speak, where nothing follows the law of gravity you're used to. Most reviews say it's slow and boring, but it's like unwrapping a mummy before knowing that's what you're unwrapping. Everyone hopes for something better than the mummy, and either become upset they don't get what they wanted or sit in awe at how exquisite it really is.
Now, don't get me wrong, this movie isn't for everyone. I'd suggest this more to those who like the eerie vibe, where things seem somewhat perfect but there's an underlying mystery that opens up this whole new set of questions. This movie deserves more recognition, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed when you watch it. It has the ability to just suck people in its plot and amazing visuals.
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