The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)
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The Blackcoat’s Daughter is a slow atmospheric trip of a horror movie. This isn’t a typical slasher or supernatural flick. This is much deeper, with artistic notes and it focuses on tension and atmosphere more than blunt scares. I think this works to its advantage, though it is one of those movies that you have to been in the mood for to fully enjoy it.
It all starts off focusing on two young girls that attend a private Catholic boarding school, and winter break is looming near. On the break, the school shuts down and no one is meant to be there. Freshman, Kat (Kiernan Shipka) is worried that her parent’s didn’t show up and begins to suspect that something terrible is happening or has happened to them. Senior student, Rose (Lucy Boynton) lied to her parents so she’d be left at the school by herself to deal with some medical issues she’s recently become aware of with her boyfriend...ok so she’s preggo and now has to deal with it. We then learn of another girl named Joan (Emma Roberts) who leaves a hospital and is making her way to the school. We learn more about Joan’s background and motivations later, but I’d be doing a disservice if I didn’t keep this review as spoiler free as possible. The girls began experiencing strange feelings and other things that lead to them thinking something supernatural may be happening at the school.
One big part to point out, is that the movie does not unfold in a linear form. We don’t really learn the whole story until the very end but there are many clues throughout that can be pieced together with multiple viewings. Director Oz Perkins does a great job of building and maintaining a creepy atmosphere throughout the entire running length. The color palette is muted and dreary, the perfect watch for a cold winter’s day. Tension is kept high and you know something bad is going to happen soon. It’s really reminiscent of Ti West’s House of the Devil, both in tone, and in the feeling of isolation. It’s a very impressive outing for a first time director.
All 3 main girls do a solid job with the acting. Kiernan Shipka is the standout, being the youngest her serious and disturbing performance is the most impressive. There isn’t a great deal of interaction with other characters but when it does happen, the feeling of isolation and separation from the rest of society is felt in each of the three girls. As some of the supernatural elements come into play in the later, we see how Rose and Kat deal with the possibility of it existing.
Towards the end of the film we’re finally able to get a taste for the violence and horror that has been building up the entire time. It’s not a blood bath but it’s still intense and very welcome. I really like the way the violence was handled in this and Perkins follows the “less is more” approach and leaves much of the carnage to the imagination of the viewers. The ending clears up most of the answers and has a great twist that is worthy of Shyamalan comparisons.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter is a slow burning, atmospheric, suspense filled movie with a great twist. If you don’t mind the slower pace, I say give it a shot. Perfect for a cold winter’s day on the couch. A24 and DirecTV will release THE BLACKCOAT'S DAUGHTER in theaters and On Demand March 31, 2017.