The duo of horror filmmakers Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury has crafted a thrilling cinematic nightmare with their latest feature, The Soul Eater.
The film follows Commander Elizabeth Guardiano and Captain of the Gendarmerie Franck De Rolan as they uncover the dark secrets of the remote French mountain town of Roquenoir. Initially, the town appears to be a sleepy, idyllic place, but as the investigation progresses, the investigators begin to uncover a sinister presence lurking beneath the surface. They soon discover that the town’s youth is being targeted by a horned woodland entity, and they must act quickly to stop the carnage.
Bustillo and Maury tone down their usual excesses in The Soul Eater, instead opting for a more straightforward approach. However, they still manage to infuse the film with a sense of dread and unease. The film’s use of violence is impactful, if not gratuitous, and serves to highlight the severity of the crimes being committed. The gruesome crime scenes and brutally mutilated corpses are certainly shocking, but they also add to the film’s sense of tension and foreboding.
The Soul Eater (Image via Getty)
The performances in the film are strong, with Virginie Ledoyen and Paul Hamy delivering anchor performances as the two investigators. They bring a sense of gravity and intensity to their roles, making their characters’ investigation feel all the more urgent. The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and they work well together to unravel the mystery and uncover the truth.
While The Soul Eater may not be Bustillo and Maury’s most memorable film, it is still a compelling horror thriller that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The film’s blend of folkloric horror and procedural mystery is original and unsettling, and the performances are strong. With its atmospheric tension and impactful horror visuals, The Soul Eater is a must-see for anyone looking for a darker, more sinister take on the traditional whodunit.
In the end, The Soul Eater is a solid addition to Bustillo and Maury’s growing body of work. While it may not be their best film, it is still a compelling and unsettling horror thriller that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
