Unwelcome movie review 2023

Fairies, known for their small size, are not always friendly creatures, as opposed to their depiction in popular culture. In the horror movie "Unwelcome," director Jon Wright portrays fairies as demanding, mischievous, and bossy, debunking the myth of their harmless nature. The film combines horror, comedy, and sci-fi aliens, creating an unsettling mashup. The main characters, Maya and Jamie, are a couple from London who move to a remote town in Northern Ireland to start a new life after a traumatic experience. Despite the warnings of the locals, they ignore red flags and refuse to take the legend of the redcap fairies seriously, which leads to dire consequences.

In the beginning, Maya and Jamie are overjoyed by the news of Maya's pregnancy. However, their happiness is short-lived when three men break into their home and brutally attack them. In the aftermath, the couple moves to Jamie's aunt's house in Northern Ireland, where they encounter an older woman who warns them about the redcap fairies. According to her, Jamie's aunt used to leave a little plate of food every night for the little people. Although Maya and Jamie laugh at this, they soon realize the dangers of the fairy world.

The Whelan family, hired to work on Jamie's aunt's house, settle in like they own the place, similar to fairy behavior. The father, with surface charm, insists on being called "Daddy" and reveals a steely and scary side. The three adult Whelan children are almost feral, with hostility that has historical and political implications. They throw names like "Oliver Cromwell" and "Michael Collins" at Jamie when he objects to their behavior, referring to past conflicts between the Irish and the English. Although Jamie and Maya are unable to do anything, the Whelans' behavior is more frightening than the fairies themselves.

When the redcap fairies finally appear, they are either hilarious or unintentionally so. They resemble Gremlins or Yoda, only more mean-spirited and wise-cracking. Although the fairies are part of the film's mystery and creepiness, the moment they become explicit, the movie shifts to comedy. The Whelans may be human, but they are more frightening than the fairies. The film's uneven tone is noticeable, and some sequences, such as the one involving a severed head in a plastic bag, resemble slapstick comedy.

The movie's production design is all fairy-tale, with golden light, thick greens, and misty, shadowy forests that create an ideal image of Ireland. The film's look is artificial, and some exteriors appear to have been shot on a soundstage. Nonetheless, this effect is welcome, especially in today's movies, where the black-and-grey palette seems to dominate. In "Unwelcome," everything is golden and green, creating a beautiful yet eerie environment.

In conclusion, "Unwelcome" presents a unique take on fairy myths by portraying them as demanding, mischievous, and bossy creatures. The combination of horror, comedy, and sci-fi aliens creates an unsettling mashup, and the movie's production design is a fairy-tale come to life. Despite the uneven tone, "Unwelcome" is a must-watch for horror fans looking for a fresh take on fairy tales.

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UNWELCOME is a spine-chilling modern horror creature feature that delves into the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love. The story revolves around Maya and Jamie, a couple from London who seek to escape the dangers of city living and raise their unborn child in a peaceful environment. When they inherit a house in rural Ireland, they jump at the opportunity to start anew. However, their new home holds dark secrets that threaten their safety.

At the bottom of their garden lies an ancient, gnarled wood that is home to malevolent and murderous goblins known as 'Redcaps.' These creatures are steeped in ancient Celtic folklore and are named for the practice of soaking their caps in the blood of their victims. The woods hide many secrets, and Maya and Jamie soon discover that engaging a local family company for some building repairs was a grave mistake.

'Daddy' and his adult children are little more than low-level criminals, and their presence poses a grave threat to Maya and Jamie's newfound safety. Faced with imminent danger, Maya must turn to the woods and the bloodthirsty creatures within it to protect her unborn child.

UNWELCOME is a perfect blend of horror, mystery, and thriller genres that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The film features strong violence, gore, pervasive language, some drug use, and sexual material, making it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts. Directed by Jon Wright and produced by Piers Tempest and Peter Touche, UNWELCOME is set to hit theaters on March 10, 2022, and streaming platforms on March 14, 2023. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes and will be distributed by Well Go USA. The aspect ratio of the film is scope (2.35:1), making it a cinematic delight.