Shepherd (2021) Review

You know that old adage about busses? You wait around long enough for one and then two show up at once? It seems like it might also apply to horror movies.

Introducing the warmly received trailer at this years Halloween FrightFest, director Russell Owen disclosed his dismay at finding out on arrival at the Welsh island for shooting that Robert Eggers was just wrapping a movie nearby based on the same tale.

Given the similarities it is hard not to draw comparisons between the two, however each film has a distinctly different tone and unique interpretation of the events dubbed ‘The Smalls Lighthouse Tragedy’.

Shepherd focuses on recently widowed Eric Black (Tom Hughes). Mourning the loss of his wife and struggling with a strained relationship with his mother, Eric applies for a post on a remote Welsh island. The troubled man is haunted by visions borne of grief and longs for seclusion to be with his own thoughts. Eric soon finds that escaping his torment is not as easy as he had hoped and the solitude of the remote locale sets him on a descent into madness and despair.

The unnerving silence of solitude runs throughout Shepherd, with disconcerting and sudden moments of volume designed to shock and set the audience on edge. Eric is plagued by visions and haunted by memories that he cannot evade, try as he might to seek solace in the vast overgrown landscapes that mirror the wild turbulence of his own mind.

Perhaps the most chilling aspect of the film is the unnerving portrayal of the mysterious ferry woman from Kate Dickie. Her oddly stony gaze and curious lack of inflection give her an otherworldly air. The enigmatic dialogue as she ferries Eric to the island suggests a greater stake than disclosed and gives the impression of the grim reaper taking a soul to their retribution.

I tried my very best to go into Shepherd with an open mind. There are elements of the film that are captivating, Dickie’s mesmerising performance in particular, but it is difficult to not find it somewhat lacking having previously witnessed the stand out performances of Dafoe and Pattinson in ‘The Lighthouse’. Had I seen this first, I may have felt differently.

Movie Rating:

Trailer: