Relic (2020)

Director: Natalie Erika James

Stars: Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin, Bella Heathcote
Runtime: 89 minutes

Synopsis: A daughter, mother, and grandmother are haunted by a manifestation of dementia that consumes their family's home.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 6/10
Editing: 8/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10

Verdict: I've been longing for a good horror film for quite some time now, and "Relic" finally materialized itself as the answer to my prayers. Calling it one of this year's best movies isn't saying much considering the quality of most 2020 releases, but if a well-executed horror film that focuses on atmosphere rather than cheap jumpscares is your jam, then Natalie Erika James' feature-length debut is the film to see.

When Kay is told that her sick mother has not been seen by her neighbors in quite some time, she and her daughter decide to pay her a visit to investigate the weird disappearance. Follows a series of creepy encounters with one recurrent theme linking them all together: dementia. The way the disease is depicted isn't necessarily one that hasn't been done in the past, and I'll be honest, there were a few moments in which I felt that the characters could've handled tricky situations in a more efficient way, but the general atmosphere left me glued to the screen, nervous as to what was going to happen to the protagonists. Thanks to mesmerizing performances, slow camera movement, a pale color palette, and subtle music and sound effects, I felt immersed in the house in which the spine-chilling events took place.

So do yourself a favor and check out "Relic" if your taste in horror matches mine. It's a fine, masterfully crafted debut that despite falling a little short on the writing side, left me eager to check out what Natalie Erika James has in store in the future.

FINAL GRADE: 7/10