‘The Damned’ Starts as a Strong Horror-Thriller Before Getting Lost at Sea

The Damned

★ ★ ½

‘The Damned’ is a slow-paced film full of breathtaking cinematography that captures the scenery surrounding a remote Icelandic fishing post. The acting and performances are solid, and through most of its 90-minute runtime, the script builds excellent tension until we arrive at a somewhat empty conclusion.

It opens in 1862 as Eva (Odessa Young), a recent widow, takes control of the fishing post. Her husband owned the post but was killed at sea when his ship sank. The crew respected him, and for the most part, now respects Eva as she takes on his role.

Joe Cole as Daniel and Rory McCann as Ragnar
© 2024 Vertical

The crew is preparing to go out on a routine fishing trip, rigging their boats ashore, when they see a large ship in the distance get hung up on some ice near a rocky area. The ship begins to sink rapidly. The crew debates whether they should help, and the clearer heads warn that such a venture could end in certain death. Eva chooses not to risk the lives of her crew but chooses not to fish that day out of respect for those lost at sea.

The crew members rely on fishing to keep themselves fed, but their supplies are scarce. They needed that day of fishing. Later in the day, Eva discovers a barrel of salted pork has washed up from the doomed ship. This compels the crew to journey to the ship wreckage to see what other supplies they can salvage before the tide turns.

It’s nightfall when they arrive, and they discover a good portion of the crew has survived, hiding inside rocky caves near the wreckage. The islander boats can not handle more men, and when the ship’s crew starts to jump away from the caves and swim to their boats, they fight them off, leaving them to die at sea.

Odessa Young as Eva
© 2024 Vertical

Eva’s crew returns to shore and discovers they have brought back something dark with them. Over the next several days, a draugr – an undead creature from Norse mythology with varying abilities – will infect the minds of her fishermen. One by one, they will be plagued by horrific visions, often leading to homicidal or suicidal behaviour.

Odessa Young as Eva and Joe Cole as Daniel
© 2024 Vertical

For the most part, it’s a well paced film. It’s when we near the conclusion that the story feels rushed and tension that’s been built up throughout the story is squandered. The ending feels rushed, closing with Eva making a horrific discovery. As the credits roll, we’re supposed to feel some sense of poignance, but the story never quite arrived at that finish line.

I really enjoyed this film right up until its final moments, leaving me wondering what 10 to 15 more minutes could have done. It’s a film that cuts bait too soon; we’re the fish that got away.

Horror