The Hallow (2015) #423

"The Hallow" is a fun "creature feature" that is inspired by the dark and violent fairy tales of Irish folklore. Even though fairy tales are timeless, this story feels fresh and original. Writer and director Corin Hardy gives us characters that we can relate to and care about without over explanation and place them in an environment that is filled with approaching doom and impending danger. The sense of isolation, brought upon by the rural setting of a small town surrounded by a large forest as well as the stand-off nature of the locals, really hits home when the main characters look for help. And because this is a creature feature, the creatures featured are effective and fiendish looking and they possess a unique trait that I haven't seen in fairy-folk before.

After Ireland legally claims all park and forest land for government use, Adam, a British conservationist, and his family is sent out to a remote Irish village to begin planning a large scale lumber operation. Adam discovers that something is unique about the area after discovering a fresh animal carcass with odd bacteria growing on it. While Adam is out in the forest, his wife Clare is left at home having to deal with an angry neighbor who used to own the land that Adam is working in. Rumor has it that the neighbor, Colm, is still angry and grieving the loss of his young daughter, who vanished into the forest a few years ago. That night, a window is broken in the baby's room and once the police arrive, the officer merely tells the young couple that they're not in London anymore and things DO go bump in the night. Adam and Clare soon realize that Colm is not the one trying to scare them away and learn that there is something fiendish hiding among the shadows and the trees, something that does not like the newcomers at all....