As the world searches for a cure to a disastrous virus, a scientist and park scout venture deep in the forest for a routine equipment run.
Written on the first day of the UK’s initial lockdown, Ben Wheatley’s “In the Earth” is a welcome return to the horror genre. The low-budget production was shot over 15 days in a forest between Oxford and London. In a testament to his craft, Wheatley’s simple effects like strobe lights, smoke machines, and lens filters, surpass any filmmakers attempting to promote the latest CGI in their big-budget productions.
In the midst of a mysterious Pandemic sweeping across the globe, Dr. Martin Lowery (Joel Fry) arrives at a remote lodge to continue his studies on the fascinating mycorrhizal network of roots and fungi. He’s just finished a self-quarantine for 4 months and is excited to see new faces. Inside the lodge, he notices a disturbing picture of a woman drawn in crayon. A colleague says the drawing is Parnagg Feg, a local spirit that allegedly rules the woods.
Deep in the woods lies an offsite facility called ATU-327A where his colleague Dr. Wendle (Hayley Squires) is stationed, over a couple of days journey on foot. Wanting to make contact and learn of her research, Martin and a park ranger, Alma (Ellora Torchia), make their descent into the forest. With natural light and some voyeuristic camera angles, the pair have a real emotional distance and disagree on what the world would be like post-pandemic. Martin thinks nothing will be the same while Alma believes everyone will move on like it never happened.
Later that night, they’re attacked while sleeping in their tents with disorienting blows. Regaining consciousness, they wake up groggy and notice their shoes missing. Martin mentions how much he misses nature and now waking barefoot, he’s certainly becoming one with it. Things get even more interesting when they meet a hermit named Zac (Reece Shearsmith), living off the land who offers them shelter.
My favorite of Wheatley’s filmography “Kill List,” touched on pagan rituals and bloody British history manifesting in the worst ways. And here an ancient rune with a hole looks to be either a passive observer of the events or a harbinger of punishment.
While certain directors have attempted to exploit the current pandemic (ahem, Michael Bay), this script is inspired. It captures science, history, and human error in a nuanced manner. For instance, the central plot concerning Mycorrhizal networks is one of nature’s greatest marvels. Over studies, scientists have discovered trees and fungi can communicate and transfer important nutrients to one another. Obviously, we can and should learn a lot from the ecosystem. Also, as if I couldn’t find our planet more interesting, in the Post-Q&A, Wheatley mentioned that composer Clint Mansell “partially composed the score using plants.” He ingeniously plugged a piece of equipment into a plant picking up frequencies that he added to the music. Yet another example to protect the environment because who knows what else a plant or a tree can do?
“In the Earth” premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival on Friday, January 29th
