Writer/director Stacey Gregg’s Here Before (U.K., 2021) is a Northern Ireland-set feature in which a mother begins to believe that the new neighbors’ young daughter may be the reincarnation of her own deceased daughter. The film is a gripping examination of grief bolstered by a terrific performance from Andrea Riseborough.
Laura (Riseborough) is a rather well-adjusted person, considering her daughter died a few years earlier. She still grieves, but has a seemingly happy, loving relationship with her husband Brendan (Jonjo O’Neill) and their teen son Tadgh (Lewis McAskie). When new neighbors move in next door with a little girl of their own — Niamh Dornan as Megan — who would be right around the age of Laura’s daughter, Laura and Megan hit it off with rides home from school and dinner invitations.
Things take a puzzling turn for Laura, though, when Megan insists that she has been in the area before — according to her parents, she hasn’t — and begins sharing old memories so specific that Laura starts to believe the youngster is the reincarnation of her daughter. Naturally, this begins turmoil within Laura’s family and with Megan’s parents.
The mystery with Here Before lies in whether there are indeed supernatural goings-on. It is a plot device that has a long tradition, and though the film doesn’t offer many new plays on that, it is well written, directed, acted, and made. Gregg’s dialogue is realistic, as is the drama that the characters go through. The climactic reveal is an intriguing one, and the film has several bread crumb moments that will make some viewers interested in a second viewing soon after their first.
Here Before screened as part of SXSW Online 2021, which ran from March 16–20, 2021.
Saban Films presents Here Before in theaters on February 11 and on VOD on February 15, 2022.