Falling Stars is an American Folk horror drama film directed by Gabriel Biencicky and Richard Karpala, and the cast includes Greg Poppa, Rene Leech, Piotr Adamczyk, Rene Leech, Orianna Milne, Shaun Duke Jr, Andrew Gabriel, J. Aaron Boykin and Diane Worman.
And yes, I am counting this as a 2024 movie, as while it got released in 2023 at festivals, it got its theatrical release in 2024 and is currently available to stream.
The film centers on three brothers in the American West who embark on a journey to find a buried witch on the night of the first harvest, a night that is steeped in superstition.
When they accidentally disturb her grave, they set off a chain of terrifying events, forcing them into a race to stop a curse that threatens not only themselves but their entire family.
Much like in films such as When Evil Lurks, the characters bring depth and tension to the story, each adding layers of urgency and fear as they attempt to stop something bad happening.
Rob (Greg Poppa), is a man who finds himself caught in all of the horror alongside his wife, Meg (Orianna Milne), and along with Rob’s friend Mike (Sean Duke Jr), and Mike’s younger brothers, as they uncover the dangers of this supernatural world.
Oh, and we also have a mysterious radio host named Barry (J. Aaron Boykin) delivering cryptic warnings.
The visuals and storytelling techniques in Falling Stars are wonderful, as it opens with a chilling sequence of a woman disappearing after seeing a shooting star, and the film quickly establishes an atmosphere where every small action could have profound consequences.
The use of a radio broadcast that speaks to the events adds an insight into the supernatural forces at play, and helps create that real sense of dread and urgency without ever feeling over done, and from the rituals and traditions to the ominous rules that must be followed, Falling Stars paints a world where witches and curses feel all too real.
The film’s pacing keeps the tension high as well, as you follow the characters’ efforts to undo their mistake before the curse takes hold, with each scene providing new insights into the brothers' bond and their fear of the unknown.
The film expertly plays with our imagination, as the film plants ideas in your head to leave you wondering whether you saw what you thought you saw, and the fear and dread is led by the unknown and curiosity.
The main cast delivers decent performances too, especially Andrew Gabriel as Sal and Rene Leech as Adam, and for a film that mainly takes place at night and outside, the cinematography and lighting is really good, and they made very good use from the fairly low budget the film had, and have made it look like a much more expensive film than it actually is.
Falling Stars isn’t about the jump scares, so don't go in expecting any, instead, it’s a story of curiosity and the consequences that follow, as the movie creates a steady sense of dread for those watching, and throughout the film, we witness the directors Biencicky and Karpala blend suspense with a less is more horror approach in a way that will keep you guessing, and have crafted a world where we really believe what is happening as we watch and hope for the best.
I recommend Falling Stars, but it won't be for everyone though as the already mixed reviews are proving, probably due to the fact the movie does movie pretty slowly with its minimalist approach that leans heavily on mood and tone, so be warned.
I enjoyed my time with the film though and the world building efforts it attempts, and it is a film all about the unknown and consequences, and with a runtime of 80 minutes, the film doesn't go on for too long either, which is always nice. (Hello, Smile 2).
[Falling Stars on IMDB] [Where to watch Falling Stars]
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