Mara (2018)

Rating: 2.5/5

Plot Summary

"Mara," directed by Clive Tonge, is a 2018 supernatural horror film that dives into the chilling phenomenon of sleep paralysis. Olga Kurylenko stars as criminal psychologist Kate Fuller, investigating the murder of Helena Wynsfield's husband, supposedly killed by an ancient demon named Mara. As Kate digs deeper, she uncovers other victims with similar experiences and starts suffering from the same terrifying symptoms. Talk about a nightmare!

The film tackles themes of fear, guilt, and the psychological impact of sleep disorders. It taps into the real-life phenomenon of sleep paralysis, where sufferers experience a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking, which is often accompanied by hallucinations. If you've ever felt the terror of sleep paralysis, "Mara" will hit way too close to home.

Chopping Block - Hits & Misses

Hits

• I’m really impressed by Kurylenko's strong performance as Kate Fuller. She effectively portrays her character's descent into fear and desperation. Her portrayal adds a layer of credibility to the film, grounding the supernatural elements in a believable human experience.

• The film's sound design was essential to building the right amount of tension. The unsettling noises and creepy ambient sounds ramp up the dread, especially during the sleep paralysis scenes. The visual effects, with a nod to Asian horror aesthetics, really added to the film's eerie atmosphere.

• The concept of a sleep demon attacking its victims during their most vulnerable moments is downright terrifying. I think the film does a commendable job of exploring the terror associated with sleep paralysis, a condition that many viewers might find relatable on some level.

Misses

• One of the major criticisms I have of "Mara" is its lack of character development. The film introduces interesting concepts and characters but doesn’t really explore them deeply. This results in a narrative that feels repetitive and drawn out.

• The design of the demon Mara, with its jerky movements and stringy hair, feels ripped straight from classic J-horror films like "The Ring." While these elements do create an unsettling atmosphere, I felt like they lacked a bit originality and came across a bit as "been there, done that".

• Although I'm usually a fan of an "abrupt" ending, I found the film's conclusion a bit unsatisfying and confusing. It seems like the filmmakers couldn't decide between a hopeful or tragic ending. It was by no means horrible, but it did feel a bit rushed and unresolved.

• I usually try to keep my "hits and misses" to 3 topics, but I would be doing a disservice if I didn't mention this. A particularly offensive aspect was the attempt to pass Dougie Trent, a character played by Craig Conway, as a 37-year-old. This casting choice seems odd. I'm not sure why they didn't just adjust the age of the character in the movie or find an actor within that age group. Although Craig is by no means old, he certainly looks much older than 37. (I'm in my mid-30s, so I feel justified in being upset by this choice!)

Full Review

• Scare Factor — Points: .5 "Mara" effectively uses the real-life horror of sleep paralysis to create an unsettling atmosphere. The portrayal of paralysis and the hallucinations it induces are genuinely creepy, but the reliance on jump scares felt a bit repetitive.

• Storyline and Plot — Points: .5 The plot has a strong foundation with its exploration of sleep paralysis and the demon Mara. But I felt the narrative's potential was undermined by underdeveloped characters and a somewhat disjointed ending.

• Atmosphere and Setting — Points: 1 The film excels in creating a foreboding atmosphere through its sound design and visual effects. I found the eerie depiction of sleep paralysis particularly well-executed, making these scenes the highlight of the film

• Special Effects and Makeup — Points: 0 While the visual effects are effective in creating an eerie atmosphere, I think they lacked originality. The design of the demon Mara feels almost TOO familiar, drawing heavily from well-known J-horror aesthetics.

• Acting and Performances — Points: .5 Olga Kurylenko delivers a commendable performance, grounding the film's supernatural elements in a believable human experience. However, I found the supporting cast less memorable, and some casting choices being a bit questionable.

Final Verdict

"Mara" offers an intriguing premise and some genuinely creepy moments, but I think it ultimately falls short due to its lack of depth and originality. While Olga Kurylenko's performance and the film's sound design are commendable, the underdeveloped characters and disjointed plot prevent it from being a standout in the horror genre. Fans of supernatural horror might find it worth a watch for its exploration of sleep paralysis, but it fails to leave a lasting impact compared to more memorable entries in the genre. Sometimes, it’s the execution, not the concept, that makes or breaks a horror film.

Rating: 2.5/5

What did you think of "Mara"?

Head over to Threads, Instagram or Facebook to join in on the conversation. Check out our website for more horror reviews, and for the latest horror news.