“Went Up The Hill”

Directed by: Samuel Van Grinsven

Starring: Dacre Montgomery, Vicky Krieps, Arlo Green, Sarah Peirse

Synopsis: In this chilling ghost story, a recently deceased woman haunts her estranged son Jack (Dacre Montgomery of Stranger Things) and her grieving widow Jill (Vicky Krieps of Phantom Thread and Corsage). When the woman’s spirit inhabits the survivors, the living must grapple with the destruction she left behind while fighting for their own survival.

Review:

Welp, welcome to Halloween season everyone! From the moment I saw the trailer for this, I knew we were in for an emotional ride.

Jack comes home to his mothers funeral and meets his stepmother, Jill. Yes. Jack and Jill. “Went Up The Hill.” I honestly cackled for a second when I realized the reference. However, dread and terror begins almost immediately. Jack stays the night and wakes up to find Jill at the edge of his bed. But it’s somehow not Jill.

The brilliance of the performances of Vicky Krieps and Dacre Montgomery are on full display when their characters bodies are inhabited by Elizabeth; his mom and her wife. There’s no changing of voices when this happens; both actors performances become much more intense. Montgomery gives his best performance to date here. It’s quite frankly frightening.

The intensity of this film doesn’t stop at the performances. The cinematography is chilling as well. There’s even a few music/score cues that gave me goosebumps.

All in all, this is a great slow, terrifying and emotional watch to kickoff your Halloween season viewing. The film tackles the subject of grief in a way I don’t think I’ve encountered yet as a film reviewer. A true original.

**** out of *****

“Went Up The Hill” is available to RENT on Fandango, Apple+, Prime Video & VOD cable services!