WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE

Cinemavixion Review

Stacie Passon's 2018 adaptation of Shirley Jackson's chilling novel, "We Have Always Lived in the Castle," masterfully translates the claustrophobic dread and psychological unease of its source material to the screen. Starring Taissa Farmiga as the enigmatic Merricat, Alexandra Daddario as her reclusive sister Constance, and the wonderfully eccentric Crispin Glover as Uncle Julian, the film plunges viewers into a world of gothic isolation. Following a family tragedy shrouded in mystery and suspicion, the trio lives sequestered in their ancestral home, a fortress against the judgmental gaze of the nearby village. The arrival of their unscrupulous cousin, Charles, threatens not only to unravel their carefully constructed existence but also to expose the dark secrets they desperately guard. Passon expertly crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, enhanced by compelling performances that capture the characters' fragility and simmering resentments. While the narrative delves into themes of family, isolation, and the power of superstition, it is the palpable sense of unease and the exploration of unconventional bonds that truly resonate. The film, noted for its critical acclaim with an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is a haunting and atmospheric delve into the complexities of human relationships and the darkness that can lie beneath the surface of domesticity.