Just like my music taste, I enjoy a wide range of horror. I appreciate the creativity in bringing an idea to life on screen, matching dialogue with a perfect setting, environment, and character presence. After reading a brief description of The Veil and without watching the trailer below, I hit play and settled in for an intimate ghost story. There came a knocking on a dark night with a gaseous green-lit sky and just the quiet and solitude of a secluded farmhouse deep in the forest. Something as simple as a knock brings two strangers together and changes the course of their lives.
God works in mysterious ways
The Veil expertly blends science fiction with horror in this thrilling tale about a retired priest named Douglas (Sean O’Bryan) and his miraculous encounter with an Amish girl named Hannah (Rebekah Kennedy). The captivating narrative, echoing the spirit of classic American ghost stories, promises an exciting journey that will stir the mind and ignite the imagination. During a powerful solar storm in rural Pennsylvania, Douglas is awakened by urgent knocking at his farmhouse door. His unexpected late-night visitor is Hannah, a young Amish woman who appears frightened and is seeking refuge.
The perfect storm of the auroras lighting the dark sky, a power outage, and the tranquility of a hidden home is the beginning of a transcendent night. The introduction of our two characters isn’t in-depth, but their actions and mannerisms lend us more of their background. Along with the contrast in their separate religions, the writing is commendable. Their conversation and actions are the focus. At first, I was suspicious and then concerned about Hannah and how she happened upon this house. Douglas seemed like the person you would want to come across if you needed help. As a horror fan, I did not trust either and sat up at full attention.
The road less traveled
Something terrible weighs on Douglas’ mind, and every choice he’s ever made has led him to this precise moment. However, Hannah isn’t forthcoming about what led her to her current state, and they both appear to be stuck together for the night. In old slasher fashion, Douglas’ cell phone is dead. A house phone would be handy, but for Hannah, the absence of one isn’t telling. Furthermore, she’s accustomed to the lack of electricity but needs a phone. She is also insistent on turning out the candles.
Once comfortable, Hannah reveals that she’s running from someone and has bruises and an injured ankle. We can fill in the blanks. The thought of someone out here, in the middle of nowhere, chasing her lends to an immediate shift in the movie’s tone. In fact, this isn’t the most terrifying revelation of the night. The foreboding night sky and the ominous threat of someone coming out of the dark at any moment thrilled me. I was hooked, and the pacing quickened and excited me.
Happenstance on a Cosmic Level
At only seventy minutes, The Veil wastes no time. The cast and setting are perfect for this independent movie. So much is done incredibly well, grander than anything I could have imagined. It was visually stunning, and the quiet of their voices seemed to be booming off-screen. I can’t think of one thing I didn’t enjoy and have zero criticism. If you haven’t guessed, I was watching this movie on another plane of existence.
Most notably, Rebekah Kennedy is stellar as Hannah. Along with veteran actor Sean’ O’Bryan’s performance, each complementing the other, kicked up this film another notch. The Veil is expert storytelling. I’d love to witness the cinematographer and director’s work so I could learn from their processes. There is much to applaud, from the breathtaking landscapes to the superb writing and the ambiance. In short, it’s wholly arresting and almost magical. The Veil is directed by Cameron Beyl and is available to stream through video on-demand services.
