Teen mom Chloe returns home to Eden Rock in order to have the support of her mother in raising her infant son. Man it would suck if the place was a concentration camp a hundred or so years ago where babies were summarily executed. Anyway, that baby gets to constantly cryin’, Chloe falls into a depression, and begins seeing and hearing signs that her baby may be haunted. Despite the fact that her family and psychologist think she is just stressed the F out being a new mother and all, the evil omens grow ever more intense and dark secrets are revealed that push our heroine further over the edge.
The Lullaby is a dreary, dark, and at times difficult fright flick to endure. Chloe (played to perfection by Reine Swart) is a stressed out, angsty hot mess, which definitely helps audience unease, and the underlying subject matter of violence towards infants is rather off-putting as well. I’m of two minds on that actually, as on one hand, I have zero desire to view that kind of premise, but on the other hand it’s absolutely chilling and disturbing and that is what a horror film should be.
The film is strongly acted, and very well shot…and I have to admit I have never seen a film where concentration camp atrocities have resulted in a (possibly) haunted infant…so there’s a check in your “plus” column Big L! Also of note, the slow burn mounting tension and supernatural goings-on are handled expertly with so much dread you can cut it like an umbilical cord (shameless), and a pervasive Gothic ambiance that stretches from the flashback sequences straight through the scenes set in the present (the psychologist’s office alone is a slice of Victorian awesome).
The only negative to be had with The Lullaby is once again it’s murdered baby subject matter…if you can get past that hurdle (and believe me you should try) you’ll be golden and left with a devastatingly effective horror show.
I haven’t seen a fright flick that has left me as emotionally drained as The Lullaby in a damn sight; it’s a dark, foreboding picture with nary a trace of joy in sight, and it manages to both have something to say about the real-life horror of postpartum depression as well as weaving a haunting tale that deftly blends psychosis with the preternatural. Simply put, don’t miss this one fright fans!
For more on The Lullaby from Horror Fuel, head here!
