The Righteous
Frederic (Henry Czerny) and Ethel (Mimi Kuzyk) Mason have suffered a terrible loss in the death of their young daughter. A distraught Frederic questions why this has happened and goes to see his priest. Frederic also admits to certain difficulties in his marriage, although he loves his wife. The priest suggests perhaps he should return to the church - at one time, Frederic had been a priest. But Frederic dismisses that idea.
Later that night, while sitting alone in the dark, Frederic hears a noise outside. To his surprise, he discovers a young man lying on the ground, in pain and requesting help. Frederic is reluctant, but agrees to bring him first aid material. His concerned wife calls the police, but when Frederic returns to the young man, he finds him unconscious and carries him inside. By the time the police offer, Mary (Mayko Nguyen) arrives, Frederic claims - to his wife's confusion - that the young man is a distant relative he hadn't recognized at first and all is well.
Ethel is uneasy but Frederic assures her that all is well, although he doesn't seem entirely sure himself. Rising in the middle of the night, he founds the young man, Aaron (Mark O'Brien) in the kitchen. Aaron asks for tea, so Frederic agrees, and they sit there together, talking of many things. Little does Frederic realize just how much his world is about to change.
This movie dates from 2021 and was shot in black-and-white, giving it an eerie almost gothic atmosphere. The excellent film score and direction adds to this, emphasizing the creepiness of the entire situation. The action is deliberately slow-paced and calculated to send shivers up and down your spine as you try to figure out what the heck is going on here. Twists and turns and revelations abound, along with in-depth discussion of life and religion, and the sins of the past. Definitely an interesting film. I'll give it 4 Stars.
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