“Angelica 2017” is a haunting, Gothic tale of a Victorian-era mother haunted by her past sins and tormented by supernatural occurrences. The film is a visual feast full of dark, atmospheric imagery and eerie sounds that will leave you on edge. With its stunning cinematography and gripping performances, “Angelica 2017” is truly an exquisite blend of horror and drama that will keep you glued to the screen until the very end.
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Review
It was just another unremarkable day in 2015 when the movie Angelica debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. Early buzz about the film indicated that it was a true work of art, a gorgeously shot period piece with an all-star cast and a haunting storyline. But nobody could have predicted the impact that this film would have on audiences around the world.
At its core, Angelica is a gothic thriller set in late 19th century London. It follows Constance Barton (played to perfection by Jena Malone), a repressed mother grappling with her own desires and the expectations of Victorian society. Her husband Joseph (Ed Stoppard) is a doctor who believes that his wife’s many ailments are caused by physical diseases; but when their baby daughter Angelica falls ill, Constance begins to suspect that something more sinister is at play.
The plot of Angelica unfolds slowly and deliberately, building tension scene by scene until it reaches its stunning conclusion. Director Mitchell Lichtenstein (best known for his cult classic Teeth) infuses every frame with an eerie beauty, capturing both the opulence and the darkness of Victorian England. The screenplay, adapted from a novel by Arthur Phillips, is filled with richly drawn characters and sharp dialogue that sounds both authentic to the time period and deeply relevant today.
But what truly sets Angelica apart from similar films is its willingness to delve into themes of female sexuality and repression. Constance is a complex heroine who defies easy categorization; she longs for intimacy but has been taught to fear it, and her journey throughout the film is as much about discovering herself as it is about solving the mystery of her daughter’s illness. The film also explores other taboo topics such as motherhood, mental illness, and even spiritualism.
It’s no wonder that critics raved about Angelica upon its release. The New York Times praised its “sumptuous” visuals, while The Hollywood Reporter called it a “highly original mystery” that “revels in the murky and supernatural.” Even horror icon Stephen King himself recommended the film, calling it “a work of art” on Twitter.
But Angelica’s influence extends far beyond critical acclaim. It has become something of a cult classic in its own right, inspiring countless fan theories, essays, and even merchandise. There are Facebook groups dedicated to dissecting every aspect of the film, and fans have created elaborate theories about the true nature of Angelica’s illness and what ultimately happens to the Barton family.
Part of what makes Angelica so beloved is its impeccable cast. Malone gives a career-defining performance as Constance, imbuing her with both vulnerability and strength; Stoppard is equally excellent as her conflicted husband Joseph. Other standout performances include Janet McTeer as the enigmatic healer Anne Montague and Tovah Feldshuh as Constance’s outspoken mother-in-law Mrs. Barton.
Another factor contributing to Angelica’s popularity is its haunting score by composer Zbigniew Preisner. From the opening strains of “Angelica’s Theme” to the eerie chimes that punctuate key moments in the film, Preisner’s music is both beautiful and unsettling.
Of course, no great film can be made without an exceptional crew behind the scenes. Cinematographer Wolfgang Held captures every detail of Angelica’s sumptuous sets with stunning precision; production designer Luciana Arrighi creates a world that feels simultaneously lived-in and otherworldly. And editor Andrew Hafitz expertly weaves together all these elements into a cohesive whole that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.
It would be remiss not to mention some of the controversy surrounding Angelica as well. Some viewers have criticized its portrayal of mental illness and spiritualism as outdated or even offensive; others have taken issue with certain scenes that they feel are gratuitous or unnecessary. But for most fans of the film, these criticisms are outweighed by its many strengths and innovations.
Ultimately, Angelica is a film that defies easy categorization. It’s part horror, part mystery, part romance, part character study; it explores themes both timeless and timely. It’s a testament to what can happen when a talented group of artists come together with a shared vision and pour their hearts into every aspect of their work. And it’s a film that will haunt viewers long after the credits have rolled.
Technical Data
- Release : 2017-11-17
- Runtime : 95
- Genre : Drama, Horror, Thriller
- Cast : Jena Malone as Constance, Janet McTeer as Anne Montague, Ed Stoppard as Dr. Joseph Barton, Tovah Feldshuh as Nora, Eliza Holland Madore as Young Angelica
- Crew : Zbigniew Preisner as Original Music Composer, Lee Percy as Editor, Kerry Barden as Casting, Rita Ryack as Costume Design, Luciana Arrighi as Production Design
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : Pierpoline Films
- Popularity : 4.041
- Summary : A couple living in Victorian London endure an unusual series of psychological and supernatural effects following the birth of their child.
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