91. Here Before; movie review

 

HERE BEFORE

Cert 15

83 mins

BBFC advice: Contains string language

"Without a doubt it would send a parent mad," Mrs W and I agreed when we mused on the horror of losing a child.

Thus, we could partially understand Andrea Riseborough's bereaved mother, who years after her daughter's death, is still destabilised.

Laura becomes obsessed with the daughter (Niamh Dornan) of her new neighbours, believing she could be the reincarnation of her child.

The girl even seems to be giving her clues to reinforce her conviction.

Stacey Gregg's movie is low budget and concise - consequently, very little time is wasted as the plot reaches a simmer and then boiling point.

Riseborough is compelling as the mother who unravels from a kindly soul to someone who appears to be losing her mind.

Dornan belies her years as a figure who would not be out of place in a horror movie.

Meanwhile, Gregg combines cutaways and close-ups in a way which adds to the growing tension.

But while we thoroughly enjoyed Here Before, there are frustrations.

For example, why would a new neighbours' child be invited to dinner alone by a family whose son is much older and doesn't even like her?

We also felt that the actions of Riseborough's character could have easily been nipped in the bud but she is allowed to become crazier and crazier.

Those points aside, this was a spooky and smartly thought-out story.

Reasons to watch: Compelling story

Reasons to avoid: Some ill-fitting scenes

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? The world's most famous case of reincarnation is that of Shanti Devi (11 December 1926 – 27 December 1987), known as Lugdi Devi (18 January 1902 – 4 October 1925) who became the subject of reincarnation research. A commission set up by the Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi supported her claim, while another report by researcher Bal Chand Nahata disputed it. 

The final word. Stacey Gregg: "The story was with me since I was a kid about Megan’s age because I was into the paranormal and I was a bit troublesome and imaginative. So there was definitely a seed there." Deepest Dream

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