Mandrake

Irish folklore has proved a fertile breeding ground for folk horror in recent years, with the likes of The Hallow and The Hole in the Ground, and You Are Not My Mother being just a handful of examples that have emerged on the genre scene. The most recent entry into this flavour of horror is Mandrake, the feature debut from Lynne Davison with a script penned by Matt Harvey. Blending a kitchen sink-style drama with witchy plot beats, this Shudder film is anchored in an eerily realistic atmosphere. Unfortunately, though, the script isn’t able to make effective use of its numerous ideas.

The plot follows probation officer and divorcee Cathy (Deirdre Mullins) who’s been tasked with managing the case of Mary Laidlaw (Derbhle Crotty), a notorious killer who’s earned the nickname “Bloody Mary” within the local community. Shortly after her release, however, two children go missing in the muddy woods surrounding her property, which leads to speculation and anger being directed towards her. Now caught in the crossfire, Cathy comes to realise the truth behind the local legends.

Unlike most folk horrors, Davison’s film concerns itself more with the everyday drama of its ensemble cast of characters than with its supernatural elements. Though there isn’t any ambiguity about the witchy happenings, the focus on Cathy’s relationship with her son and the town’s reaction to the recent tragedy lends a chilling air to the ensuing events. Likewise, subdued performances from Mullins and Crotty only add to this sense of realism.

It comes as a frustration, then, that Mandrake stumbles when it comes to exploring its assortment of ideas. Themes of motherhood, abuse, rehabilitation and mob mentality all play major roles in the sinister events, but none go far enough with their implications (thanks in part to a chaotically paced second half) to get the most out of the devilish premise.

With its inventive approach, alongside a healthy spattering of grotesque imagery, Mandrake is certainly one of the more unique horrors out there from a promising new voice in the genre. Its only downfall is that it doesn’t go far enough with its concepts to give Davison’s debut the bite it needed to stand out within the streaming crowd.

Andrew Murray

Mandrake is available on Shudder on 10^th November 2022.

Watch the trailer for Mandrake here: