The film’s effectiveness comes from how all its elements – Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of "Pete," Judith Anderson as "Ellen," the cinematography, Miklós Rózsa’s music, and the performances by Lon McCallister ("Nath") and Allene Roberts ("Meg")—work together to create a gripping, suspenseful experience that holds your attention from beginning to end. Rory Calhoun appears in a subplot that feels somewhat out of place, but otherwise, the narrative maintains an air of mystery regarding "Pete’s" determination to prevent "Meg" from going near the woods where she believes she hears cries. A sense of unease develops as their seemingly perfect family dynamic begins to unravel when “Meg” starts developing feelings for the new farmhand "Nath," who encourages her independence. Robinson delivers a strong performance, especially in balancing the roles of a loving father and someone burdened by a dark secret; Anderson, as usual, excels with a restrained acting style. While I found the conclusion somewhat underwhelming, the story’s momentum, combined with striking lighting and sound design, makes for an enjoyable film.

Source on TMDB