Starve Acre (2023) – Film Review

Director: Daniel Kokotajlo
Cast: Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark, Arthur Shaw
Certificate: 15
By Sarah Morgan
Bleak, unsettling and utterly gripping – that, in a nutshell, is writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo’s adaptation of Starve Acre, Andrew Michael Hurley’s acclaimed 2019 novel.
I’ve been a fan of the author since reading his debut offering, The Loney, which was followed by Devil’s Day. Starve Acre is his third book and is just as disturbing as its predecessors; I could hardly wait to see how it would turn out on screen.
Thankfully I was not disappointed. Kokotaijlo’s sensitive take on the story is a welcome addition to one of my favourite genres, folk horror, which already contains such classics as The Wicker Man, The Blood on Satan’s Claw and Witchfinder General.
“Gets under the skin”
Morfydd Clark, who will be instantly recognisable to horror fans from her extraordinary lead performance in the Scarborough-shot Saint Maud, stars alongside ex-Doctor Who star Matt Smith. They play Juliet and Richard, whose efforts to build a life at the property where Richard grew up seems doomed to fail by the behaviour and subsequent death of their young son Owen. Both seem to be tied to local folklore, a subject that bewitched Richard’s own father.
The tragedy involving Owen drives a wedge between the couple. While Juliette seeks solace from her sister Harrie and superstitious members of the community, Richard, an archaeologist, throws himself into his work, eventually making an extraordinary discovery on his own land, which leads to the unleashing of a dark and sinister force that will eventually make its presence felt in a rather unexpected manner.
Filmed on location in North Yorkshire (see if you can spot anywhere you recognise), Starve Acre gets under the skin and stays there long after viewing. I watched it a few days before writing this review, feeling the need to let the imagery settle in my mind while processing its atmospheric and foreboding plot. I’m not sure I’ve done either yet – I think at least one repeat viewing is in order.
Clark is as compelling here as she was in the aforementioned Saint Maud, on the surface at least playing a very different character, that of a woman pushed to the edge of despair by grief. But both Juliette and Maud share something too – they’re rather lonely, cut off from society. In Maud’s case that’s by her mental health issues, while for Juliette, they’re geographical – the farm on which she lives is remote and not very welcoming.
“Difficult situations”
Smith is as charismatic as ever, while excellent support comes from Erin Richards, Robert Emms, Sean Gilder and a hare. Yes, you did read that correctly. A hare (albeit a very convincing mechanical one) plays a large part in the denouement. I shall say no more for fear of spoiling it for anyone who hasn’t seen the film or read the book.
Full marks go to Kokotailjo too. This is only his second feature film after his acclaimed debut Apostasy, which was inspired by his own experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness. At first glance it would appear that the two films have little in common, but both feature families torn apart and trapped in difficult situations. It will be interesting to see what he does next.
The disc is packed with special features, including interviews with the cast and crew and a deleted scene.
As for Hurley, if watching Starve Acre inspires you to read his novels, or if you’re already a fan, you’re in luck – his fourth book, Barrowbeck, is out now.
Special features:
- Presented in High Definition and Standard Definition
- Newly recorded audio commentary by director Daniel Kokotajlo, production designer Francesca Massariol and sound designer Ben Baird
- The Land Holds the Melody (2024, 23 mins): Starve Acre composer Matthew Herbert reveals his multilayered approach to writing film music
- There’s Something Out There (2024, 21 mins): author Andrew Michael Hurley discusses his novel Starve Acre and the landscapes of folk horror
- Interviews with stars Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark (2023, 10 mins)
- Interview with The Hare Team (2023, 16 mins): an insight into the work of creature effects supervisor Sharna Rothwell and lead puppeteer Aidan Cook
- Behind-the-scenes footage (2023, 5 mins)
- The sandwich scene (2024, 1 min): deleted scene with optional commentary from the director
- The Hare, a Folk Song (2024, 1 min): actor Sean Gilder, who plays Gordon in the film, reads an extract from the Starve Acre novel
- Behind-the-scenes gallery: a collection of photos and storyboard elements that shine a light on the production process
- Stills gallery
- Theatrical trailer
- First pressing only - Illustrated booklet with a text by director Daniel Kokotajlo; essays by Dr Adam Scovell and Catherine Spooner; notes on the special features and full credits
Starve Acre from the BFI is now on Blu-ray/DVD, BFI Player, iTunes and Amazon Prime