Starve Acre presents a folk-horror story that feels both recognizable and unsettling, set against the backdrop of the North Yorkshire Moors. A man finds himself facing deeply buried family mysteries in this isolated, bleak landscape, which contributes significantly to the film’s disturbing atmosphere and sense of growing fear characteristic of the genre. Morfydd Clark, who previously delivered a striking performance in Saint Maud, again demonstrates her ability to project quiet strength onscreen. As a mother struggling with immense grief, she delivers a portrayal full of subtle emotion. Clark effectively communicates a profound sadness, keeping the viewer engaged as her character seems to move toward breakdown. Even when the story moves into a more unusual—and perhaps more confusing—conclusion, Clark remains essential to the film’s emotional core, giving it a lasting impact. However, Matt Smith adopts a more assertive style, attempting a Yorkshire accent that occasionally proves disruptive rather than helpful in establishing the mood. While his intense and contemplative demeanor has its moments, the camera’s frequent use of close-ups feels excessive and detracts from the nuances he brings to the role. The film's diverse and unconventional score creates an unsettling feeling throughout, increasing suspense and disorienting the viewer at key points. This contributes to a surreal, dreamlike quality that works well with the folk-horror aspects. The effect is lessened, though, by the introduction of a strange animatronic or computer-generated creature that feels fake despite its intended threat, which disrupts the feeling of being fully immersed in the story. What might have been a meaningful visual representation instead becomes awkward and jarring, taking viewers out of what was otherwise a believable horror experience. Ultimately, Starve Acre provides genuine emotional resonance and moments of palpable tension. Nevertheless, it struggles when it moves too far into surreal territory without the necessary skill to support those elements visually.

Source on TMDB