Director Barnaby Clay‘s new horror-thriller, The Seeding, is out now. The film centers on a man lost in the wilderness who approaches a dilapidated house in hopes of finding help. It’s clear from the beginning that the woman living inside is hiding something terrible.
The man finds himself trapped with children looking down from the top of the crator. It all seems like an experiment, pushing people to the brink of insanity and desperation.
Scott Haze (Venom, Jurassic World: Dominion) and Kate Lyn Sheil (You’re Next, V/H/S) both give fantastic performances. Haze brings his intense and nuanced presence to the role of the hiker, his desperation and growing fear palpable on screen. Sheil, known for her captivating and often unsettling performances, delivers a layered and enigmatic portrayal of the woman. She keeps the audience guessing about her true motives until the very end.
The film plays out against a stunning backdrop, though it feels gritty at times. The sense of isolation is overwhelming, a goal set by its writer-director. Don’t get me wrong; there are brief moments of stunning beauty that help balance the brutality. The film is an exploration into the cycle of nature, harsh and brutal.
My main issue with this film is that it makes the mistake so many horror movies make. The night scenes are too dark. So dark that you can barely determine what’s happening. Maybe it’s because I watched it on my computer. I’m not sure, but I assume this was meant to add to the sense of tension and isolation. Now, that is something that The Seeding gets very fitting. Clay builds tension so flawlessly.
My verdict is that the story is fresh and exciting, and the characters’ performances make for a must-see film. Luckily, you don’t have to wait. Watch The Seeding now on VOD.
