Film Review - The Vourdalak (2023)

[earthspirits]

The Vourdalak is a 2023 French language film with subtitles. Director Adrian Beau, who wrote the screen play with Hadrien Bouvier, presents a gothic tale of folk horror and pathos, at times enlivened with scenes of sardonic humor. Based on A.K. Tolstoy’s 1839 novella, “The Family of the Vourdalak”, the story has been interpreted before, most noticeably in “Black Sabbath”, a 1963 horror anthology film starring Boris Karloff.

Beau's film is a period piece, set in Serbia in the 18th Century. Our protagonist is Jacques Saturnin du Antoine, the Marquis d’Urfe (brilliantly portrayed by Kacey Mottet Klein). His is the main "point of view" for the story.

Presented at times as an object of ridicule, the vain young man is almost always seen in an auburn wig and clown-like makeup, right down to a faux beauty spot on one cheek. He’s an insipid fop who falls easily in lust love. His cowardice, absurd dialogue, and capering provide comic relief. He does have a darker side, as his interactions with an enigmatic woman Sdenka (portrayed by Ariane Labed) reveal. That said, he can also be very caring, with a sense of honor and gallantry.

On a diplomatic mission for the King of France, the Marquis is attacked by bandits. Lucky to escape with his life, he flees on foot through the forest. On a stormy night, he’s directed by an unsympathetic local to the house of Gorcha, where he's soon involved with the man’s troubled family.

Gorcha (voiced by Adrian Beau), is later revealed to be the titular Vourdalak, a dangerous and manipulative nosferatu who preys upon his loved ones. He's the film's most bizarre character, as he's not portrayed by an actor, but by a grotesque, life size puppet (no CGI involved, it's all practical effects). Surprisingly realistic, the puppet veers into "uncanny valley" territory, lending a very disturbing quality to Gorcha's character.

While not perfect, this is an intriguing and highly original film, and a worthy addition to the folk horror and vampire genres. Setting, costumes, and acting are all excellent, and the cinematography, with its lush, saturated colors, gives an appealing vintage look. The overall atmosphere, with its allusions to old pagan beliefs and folklore, is suitably dark and brooding, although sometimes the creepy Gorcha puppet takes one out of the mood.

It's a film for mature 18+ viewers only (it features nudity and sex) + abusive situations, violence, death, blood and gore. One brief scene of animal death I felt was entirely unnecessary.

Comments

[earthspirits]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed my review.

The scene I warned about was something I certainly didn't expect when I watched the film, so yes, wanted to give a heads-up to others.