A festival brimming with content often turns up films that are unsettling, shadowy, and disturbing, and In the Earth falls into that category—a movie destined to elicit strong reactions. Sadly, it didn't resonate with me. The film shifts from portraying a man consumed by an obsession with some kind of spiritual presence to incorporating actual science, all while utilizing strange, bewildering visuals throughout its duration. Ben Wheatley has previously demonstrated his ability to craft films with a foreboding atmosphere (like Rebecca), but I honestly found it difficult to find anything in this movie that truly clicked. The cast's performances and Clint Mansell’s powerful, memorable score—which some viewers might recall for negative reasons—are the only things I can genuinely commend. Joel Fry endures so much physical suffering as Martin Lowery that I felt every groan and plea for assistance. However, it was really Mansell’s intense music, with its deep bass and unsettling sounds, that had a profound effect on the overall experience. Those extreme sound levels could even damage some people's hearing, but they undeniably play an important role in both the story and how the viewer feels. The narrative, though, is more perplexing than engaging. It becomes increasingly challenging to follow what’s happening, and the conclusion doesn't feel satisfying at all. There's a clear effort toward a philosophical ending rooted in complex spiritual beliefs and self-awareness, but it didn't lead me to any meaningful insights. Ultimately, it felt like a disappointing and empty story. In the Earth is one of those movies that will likely make most viewers uncomfortable. From the headache-inducing flashing lights to the intensely confusing and creepy imagery—not to mention some shocking visuals—Ben Wheatley’s film creates an eerie, mysterious atmosphere that simply fails to convey anything even remotely captivating or significant to the audience. The slow pace and vague development leave numerous questions unanswered, but it's the lack of emotional connection to both the story and the characters that ultimately lets the movie down. Despite some excellent performances—particularly from Joel Fry—and Clint Mansell’s undeniably impactful score, there aren't any other aspects that I can appreciate. Rating: C-

Source on TMDB