Unwelcome (2023) Movie Review

Fairies, those tiny creatures of myth and legend, are often portrayed as cute and friendly in modern media, but their original depictions were quite different. They were demanding, bossy, and mischievous. They would abduct babies and wreak havoc on people's lives if they weren't appeased just right. In the horror film "Unwelcome," directed by Jon Wright, these original fairy myths are explored in a mashup of horror and comedy. Maya and Jamie, a young couple from London, move to a remote town in Northern Ireland after a traumatic experience. There, they encounter an older woman who demands they leave out food for the "little people," or the far darrig, the "redcap" fairies. They ignore the warning signs and hire the Whelan family to work on their house, only to find themselves in a hostile and dangerous situation.

The opening scene of the film is very effective, as Maya and Jamie share a genuine moment of joy when they discover that she is pregnant. However, their happiness is short-lived when three men break into their home and attack them. Traumatized by the experience, the couple moves to Northern Ireland, where they encounter the strange and unsettling world of the far darrig.

The older woman who greets them at the door warns them about leaving food out for the fairies, but Maya and Jamie don't take her seriously. They hire the Whelan family to work on their house, only to find that they are unwelcome guests who settle in and behave like they own the place. The father, who insists on being called "Daddy," has a surface charm that belies his steely and scary demeanor. The three adult Whelan children are almost feral, and their hostility toward Maya and Jamie has historical and political implications. They view the couple as "uppity colonizers" and use names like "Oliver Cromwell" and "Michael Collins" to intimidate them.

As the film progresses, the redcap fairies make their presence known. They are small and mischievous, like Gremlins or Yoda, but with a mean-spirited sense of humor. However, the mystery of their existence is what makes the opening hour of the film so creepy. The audience knows they are there, but they can't see them. When they finally appear on screen, it tips the film over into comedy, which may have been intentional, but the overall tone is uneven.

The performances are generally strong, with Hannah John-Kamen and Douglas Booth carrying the film as the traumatized couple trying to start anew in a strange town. They both bring a sense of vulnerability and desperation to their roles that make the audience empathize with their situation. Niamh Cusack is also excellent as the mysterious and foreboding older woman who seems to know more than she lets on about the dangers lurking in the town.

However, the standout performance of the film belongs to Colm Meaney as the loud-mouthed patriarch of the Whelan family. Meaney brings a sense of menace and unpredictability to the role, making the audience never quite sure what he's going to do next. His performance is both hilarious and terrifying at the same time, adding to the film's uneven tone.

Despite its flaws, "Unwelcome" is visually stunning, with production design that evokes a fairy tale world of golden light, thick greens, and misty forests. The film's look is artificial, creating a strange effect that is a welcome departure from the black-and-grey palette of many modern films. The cinematography by Hamish Doyne-Ditmas is excellent, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that enhances the film's creepy and unsettling tone.

In conclusion, "Unwelcome" is a horror film that explores the darker side of fairy mythology. The redcap fairies are mischievous and mean-spirited, and the film's portrayal of them is a departure from the cute and friendly versions often seen in modern media. Maya and Jamie's experiences in Northern Ireland are unsettling and dangerous, and the film's production design and cinematography add to its dreamlike and creepy atmosphere. While the film's tone is uneven, it is a visually stunning and thought-provoking exploration of the darker side of fairy mythology.