#phantasmagorical

drúchtíneach (Irish Gaelic) [d̪ˠɾuːxt̪ˠiːnəx] (this is my best guess, please correct me if its wrong!) A small and cute person. Literally meaning "little dewdrop."

Philosophers are lined with eyes within And being so the sage unmakes the man He is in love he cannot therefore cease his trade Scarce the first blush has overspread his cheek He feels it, introverts his learned eye To catch the unconscious heart in the very act His mother died, the only friend he had Some tears escaped but his philosophy Couched like a cat sat watching close behind And throttled all his passion. Is't not like That devil-spider that devours her mate Scarce freed from her embraces

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Philosophers are lined with eyes within

Ralph Waldo Emerson  1803-1882

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there's no way this is in the book i'm reading

Ben Wheatley's In The Earth, written and shot during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, is a psychedelic, phantasmagorigal folk horror tale that unnerves and unsettles. Just like the two main protagonists, (Joel Fry and Ellora Torchia as Martin and Alma respectively) you are drawn deeper and deeper into the woods, and into the legends that surrounded them. It's when they run into the forest-dwelling Zach (played to perfection by the always exceptional Reece Shearsmith) that things really start to go wrong for the pair...

I was genuinely so thrilled that I got to experience In The Earth on the big screen, as it is a complete assault on the senses (in the very best way). The use of light and sound to disorientate not only the characters but the viewers too works incredibly well. The cinematography is beautiful, the forest is lush and gorgeous but can also be frightening and deadly - it really does become a character of its own.

There's also a good amount of hold-your-breath tension, some well placed laughs and some excellent special effects.

If I had to pick one gripe, it would be that I found the actress playing Dr Olivia (Hayley Squires) to be very weak, especially compared to the strong performances of the actors around her. Especially Reece Shearsmith, I could go on all day about JUST how amazing he was.

I would agree that In The Earth works as a companion piece to Wheatley's other brilliant works 'Kill List' and the outstanding 'A Field In England'. If you find somewhere still showing it on the big screen I highly recommend you check it out as it's meant to be seen - large and loud!!

9/10