I love opportunities to watch international films, so I jumped at the chance to check out The Evil That Binds Us at Fantastic Fest. It’s beyond me why programming chose to place such a heavy movie during the 11:00 am slot, but chaos reigns. I didn’t know much about the film, except that it took place in 1950s Chile. I expected a supernatural thriller based on the title, but I got a historical horror film instead. Although the themes were depressing, I enjoyed what I saw. I was not prepared for the sexual assault and incest, but I was satisfied with how one of the characters got their revenge in the end.
The dreary color palette emphasized the dread, while the script dropped tiny breadcrumbs that led viewers to the family secrets. The Evil That Binds Us feels like a Southern Gothic film with an isolated location, an old, mysterious house, and racial tensions between the German family and the local Chileans.
Family Trauma
The film focuses on the tension between Daniel and his family after his father takes him to his aunt’s house for an unexpected extended stay. We start the movie with Daniel’s arrival. He doesn’t speak much, and he doesn’t understand German, like his cousins; he feels like an outsider. At the dinner table, we pick up on the drama between Helmut (Tilo Werner) and his sister-in-law Dorothea (Catrin Striebeck). Helmut had plenty of shady comments for Dorothea; he even laughed at her during her prayer. Daniel picks up on this disrespect and mirrors it later in the film, once he gets an idea of what kind of person Dorothea is.
After Daniel is left at his aunt’s house, his familial relationships take a turn for the worse. He constantly clashes with his male cousin, who is clearly disturbed. His female cousin, Hilda, is showing a wildly inappropriate interest in him, which leads to a traumatic experience. His aunt is keeping secrets from him. She also makes it clear that he is not allowed to mingle with the farmhand’s daughter, Ema. Several incidents lead to Ema’s disappearance, and Daniel doesn’t take it lightly. I love how the child actors are able to express the complex emotions required by the script. I was happy that Daniel not only discovered the truth, but he, ultimately, got revenge against his estranged family.
Should You See It?
The Evil That Binds Us is a dark tour through a family’s history that has direct ties with the climate of the world at the time. The performances sell the drama and keep the tension thick. Although the film isn’t action-packed, it’s memorable and beautifully shot. Most of the jaw-dropping moments come from dialogue or uncovering new information about the family. I recommend checking this film out if you enjoy historical horror and psychological thrillers.
