Movies: Went Up the Hill (2024) by Samuel Van Grinsven: A Haunting Meditation on Trauma and Healing
- dailyentertainment95
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
Confronting Grief and a Haunted Past
Went Up the Hill follows Jack (Dacre Montgomery), who returns to remote New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother. He meets Jill (Vicky Krieps), his mother’s grieving widow, for the first time. However, the spirit of Jack’s mother, Elizabeth, begins to possess them both in turn, unleashing a chilling and destructive force. As they grapple with family secrets, trauma, and possession, the story unfolds as a psychological ghost tale with complex family dynamics. Directed by Samuel Van Grinsven and co-written with Jory Anast, the film melds drama, horror, fantasy, and thriller elements. Its atmospheric style and layered narrative invite contemplation on grief’s lingering power.
Why to recommend movie: Deep, Atmospheric, and Thought-Provoking
Complex Portrayal of Grief: The film examines the complicated emotional terrain involving estranged family, unresolved trauma, and the way grief can bind and haunt the living. It refuses easy answers and embraces psychological depth, offering a meditative take on loss.
Intriguing Ghost Story: Elizabeth’s spirit’s possession of both Jack and Jill creates a unique supernatural tension, blending horror with emotional drama. This narrative device adds unsettling, almost surreal atmosphere that keeps viewers off balance.
Stellar Lead Performances: Dacre Montgomery and Vicky Krieps deliver emotionally charged, nuanced performances, navigating intense psychological and haunted states with skill and subtlety. Their chemistry anchors the character-driven story.
Atmospheric New Zealand Setting: The film beautifully contrasts the stunning natural landscape with the stark and oppressive architecture of Elizabeth’s home, enhancing mood and thematic resonance.
Symbolic Use of Nursery Rhyme: The story’s connection to “Jack and Jill” adds layers of metaphor about fallibility, trauma cycles, and the fragility of relationships, deepening interpretive possibilities.
Psychological and Physical Tension: The film balances lingering emotional silence with moments of violent and chilling intensity, creating a compelling and immersive tension.
Artistic Cinematography and Sound: Cinematographer Tyson Perkins employs haunting visual framing, while Robert Mackenzie’s sound design adds a pervasive eerie ambiance that heightens suspense and unease.
Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/went-up-the-hill (US), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/went-up-the-hill (Canada)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14303268/
What is the Trend followed: Psychological Horror Meets Family Drama
Went Up the Hill aligns with contemporary cinema blending horror and psychological drama to explore trauma and family legacy.
Its moderate pace and atmospheric style reflect new horror trends focusing on mood and character over scares.
The film is part of a broader effort to innovate ghost stories with emotional and mental health themes.
It reflects growing interest in genre films that foreground internalized psychological conflict over external horror.
The emphasis on family estrangement and reconciliation connects to broader social themes in modern storytelling.
Director's Vision: Subtle, Poignant, and Haunting
Samuel Van Grinsven crafts a deeply personal and carefully paced film that melds haunting visuals with raw emotionality.
His co-writing with Jory Anast imbues the narrative with complex psychological layers and symbolic depth.
Van Grinsven employs minimalistic dialogue and visual repetition to mimic the cyclical nature of trauma.
His direction allows the lead actors space to explore multifaceted characters struggling with pain and connection.
Van Grinsven’s focus on mood and tone delivers a slow-burn experience rewarding patient viewers.
He integrates natural scenery and claustrophobic interiors to symbolize contrast between freedom and confinement.
The director pays close attention to sound and silence, using them as tools to build tension and emotional resonance.
Themes: Trauma, Family, Grief, Possession
Explores how trauma reverberates beyond death, affecting the living in unexpected and damaging ways.
Investigates fractured family relationships, secrets, and abandonment, revealing complex emotional dynamics.
Confronts the ambiguity of healing and possession, blurring lines between self and other, past and present.
Uses symbolism and motifs to deepen engagement with loss and memory.
Offers reflections on the hope and challenge of reconciliation amid deep wounds.
Explores the effects of denial and suppressed emotions on the psyche.
Examines the legacy of abuse and unresolved sorrow.
Questions identity when external forces disrupt internal cohesion.
Addresses how the past haunts the present, impeding closure.
Key success factors: Strong Acting and Immersive Atmosphere
Dacre Montgomery and Vicky Krieps deliver fine performances that convey emotional complexity under supernatural pressure.
The minimalist script supports the mood, allowing subtlety and pacing to build tension.
The film’s use of natural and stark settings enriches thematic exploration.
Sound design and score intensify emotional impact and lingering unease.
Cinematography uses creative framing to create dread and intimacy simultaneously.
The narrative’s dark ambiguity invites reflection and interpretation.
The film marks a notable achievement in blending independent art-house style with genre storytelling.
Effective use of lighting and color creates mood shifts that echo emotional states.
The editing carefully balances tension and release, pacing the unfolding mystery.
Production design crafts a believable, haunting domestic environment, heightening authenticity.
Awards & Nominations: Acknowledged for Artistic Merit
Went Up the Hill has won 1 award and received 3 nominations, indicating positive recognition for its direction, performances, and technical achievements. Its festival presence highlights critical appreciation of its unique contribution to psychological horror and drama.
The film’s award reflects strong directorial vision and acting excellence.
Nominations include recognition for cinematography and sound design, underscoring its technical craft.
Recognition helped boost international profile and audience interest.
Critics Reception: Praised for Atmosphere and Character Depth
Summary: Critics commend Went Up the Hill for its haunting atmosphere, psychological insight, and strong acting by Montgomery and Krieps, with some noting its slow pace and abstract narrative may not appeal to all viewers.
Reviews from Screen Rant and IndieWire highlight its balance of horror and emotional resonance.
Critics appreciate the film’s fresh approach to the ghost story genre and its metaphorical richness.
A few reviewers find the pacing challenging but agree on the film’s artistic intent and payoff.
The film’s subtle psychological horror is seen as a strength and a risk.
Critics praise the layered character performances as elevating the narrative.
Some note the film’s minimalistic style requires attentive viewing.
Reviews: Viewer Reactions Mixed but Engaged
Summary: Viewer feedback on IMDb reflects fascination with the film’s psychological complexity and performances, though some express frustration with narrative ambiguity and quiet pacing.
Users praise the leads’ efforts and immersive mood.
Some audiences find its dark themes and slow tension compelling, while others see it as slow or confusing.
Overall, the film sparks discussion about grief, trauma, and family in genre cinema.
Certain viewers applaud the film for its emotional honesty despite narrative opacity.
Others desire more explicit explanations or clearer resolutions.
The film appeals mainly to fans of atmospheric horror and character-driven drama.
Movie Trend: Psychological Horror with Family Depth
Went Up the Hill exemplifies a cinematic trend combining psychological horror, family drama, and atmospheric storytelling focused on trauma and healing.
This movement favors mood and character study over jump scares for horror cinema.
Films exploring family legacies and trauma offer new emotional terrain for genre filmmakers.
The blending of horror with art-house sensibilities reflects evolving audience tastes.
The film contributes to a nuanced understanding of grief’s ongoing impacts.
Social Trend: Addressing Grief and Trauma Through Genre
This film advances cultural conversation around generational trauma and grief, using genre frameworks to make emotional issues accessible and compelling.
It reflects broader societal interest in mental health and emotional wellness narratives.
The film challenges taboos around discussing difficult family histories.
It uses supernatural motifs to illustrate psychological realities culturally and artistically.
Final Verdict: Haunting, Thoughtful, and Unique
Went Up the Hill is a quietly powerful ghost story that probes deep emotional wounds with sensitivity and artistry. Montgomery and Krieps deliver riveting performances that humanize a chilling narrative about legacy, possession, and unresolved trauma. While its deliberate pace and ambiguity require patience, the film rewards with atmospheric tension and psychological insight. Its innovative use of ghost story tropes expands the genre’s potential to explore emotional depth. This is a compelling film for viewers open to introspective, genre-bending cinema that blends horror with profound family drama.
The film stands out for its emotional subtlety and visual poetry.
It challenges conventional horror with layered storytelling and complex characters.
Went Up the Hill invites reflection on loss and the shadows we carry, making it a deeply memorable experience.
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