Éamon and his daughter Máire, are employed as caretakers for an isolated Georgian Mansion during the harsh winter months. Little do they know that this seemingly peaceful assignment will unleash a nightmare upon them.
In the first half of this year alone, I’ve seen more Irish films than in any previous year. The latest addition to this list is “An Taibhse” (The Ghost), the first-ever Irish language horror film from acclaimed Irish filmmaker John Farrelly. While being the “first” of its kind doesn’t automatically make a movie the best, Farrelly’s skilled hands ensure a genuinely atmospheric and frightening Irish tale.
Set in post-famine Ireland, the story follows Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill) as they maintain a remote Georgian mansion through the harsh winter. When Éamon injures his foot with an axe chopping wood, he must convalesce, leaving Máire to handle all the household chores. As Éamon turns to drink, becoming increasingly tyrannical, Máire begins to experience strange supernatural phenomena. As Éamon’s detachment grows, Máire realizes a dark presence has invaded their home, threatening to claim their souls. Now she must devise an escape plan from the encroaching evil.
“An Taibhse” was filmed at Coollattin House in County Wicklow, south of Dublin, a sprawling, 117-room mansion, uninhabited for over 25 years that perfectly captures the eerie atmosphere required for a horror movie. The house, with its underground tunnel and secret doors, adds to the sense of foreboding. Its state of disrepair, requiring extensive renovations, only enhances the mid-19th-century setting of the story.
The success of “An Taibhse” largely hinges on the outstanding performances of its two leads, Tom Kerrisk and Livvy Hill. Hill, in particular, shines by conveying her character’s escalating fear through nuanced facial expressions and body language. Her performance captures the gradual shift from unease to outright terror, drawing the viewer into her character’s disturbing experience. Kerrisk, meanwhile, delivers a chilling portrayal of Éamon, whose transformation from loving father to malevolent force is reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s iconic turn in “The Shining.” His performance masterfully conveys the character’s unsettling descent into darkness, making for a deeply unnerving viewing experience. The chemistry and contrasting performances of the two leads work in tandem to create a tense, believable dynamic that propels the horror narrative forward.
While Farrelly clearly draws inspiration from Kubrick’s “The Shining,” he uses this to tell a unique story, exploring themes of isolation, grief, and the darkest corners of the human experience, which culminates in a harrowing finale. The pacing, which lingers too long on scenes without action, is a minor drawback. However, the film’s technical merits, including its cinematography, evocative of 1970s and 1980s horror classics, make it a standout. Cinematographer Ross Power and Farrelly successfully employ techniques from that era while maintaining a modern perspective, resulting in a robust piece of filmmaking. With “An Taibhse,” Farrelly proves that the Irish language is just as capable of delivering chills as any other. Don’t be surprised if this is the start of a new wave in Irish genre cinema.
“An Taibhse” is currently on the Film Festival circuit
