The Unkindness of Ravens (2016) Reviews

• The Raven warriors are coming for your eyes

  jon_dolan20002016-12-12

  I took a chance a couple of years ago by throwing a few quid on Kickstarter on a spooky looking film called "Lord Of Tears". This was one of the best things I did as it was exactly the sort of atmospheric horror/ghost story that I've wanted for a long time. When I saw the campaign for this follow up film there was no hesitation in adding to the funding. Today I received my copy...... Like Lord Of Tears/The Owlman there's a very isolated feel to the film. The protagonist spends the majority of the film alone in a cottage surrounded by bleak misty hills, fields and forests. It's established that he's an ex soldier living rough. We learn over the course of the film just how much of a toll Afghanistan took on him. He's dealing with PTSD from the things he saw and experienced. The titular Ravens soon appear to torment and push him into madness. He ends up dragged into a living hell where the Ravens have claimed other damaged soldiers. Unfortunately these have already suffered the tortures of the Raven warriors (who have a penchant for eye removal). From this point he either has to face his demons or remain trapped in their realm. It's an intelligent film with a lot to say about how the experiences of war can affect our troops. It's easy to see the Raven warriors as a metaphor for the creeping depression that can so easily take hold of men and women who've seen the unspeakable horrors of war. The Ravens themselves are visually imposing and an excellent design for the film. It has a vibe of the original Wicker Man due to it's surroundings and gentle music (another high point). I also got the feel of one of the old BBC Christmas Ghost stories whilst watching it (but that's more me than the film as it's that time of year). It's a film that will stay with me for a couple of days and probably deserves multiple watches to let it all soak in. There's a definite talent and vision behind The Owlman and The Unkindness Of Ravens which is sadly lacking in today's horror industry. Thank god for Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly for their atmospheric, haunting and creepy productions. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

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• Not as creepy as Lord Of Tears

  glyptoteque2016-12-12

  Hmm, contributed ( although meagerly) to this project, and I must admit I had hoped for a slightly better outcome. I felt a bit underwhelmed by this as opposed to Lord of Tears, which was a superior film in my opinion. The same sense of desolation and hopelessness is definitely present, but what is lacking here is the intangible sense of dread. When you choose to display the enemy so frequently, much of the uncanny and the creepy loose its impact, I felt there was such an over-saturation of the raven-men, that it became boring. In Lord Of Tears, the creature was used sparingly, appearing now and then to utter prophecies of doom, but here the raven- men is used to so such an effect that they almost cancel themselves out as figments of horror and madness and instead becoming mere men in beaked costumes. Which of course diminishes greatly the alternate reality you are supposed to be swept up in as a viewer. But all in all, compared to the soulless dreck being released with the label of horror these days, this film is without a doubt a work of passion for horror, and despite the flaws, I suggest you check it out. And whenever Mr. Brewster has a new project, you should support it, there is always room for improvement.

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• Much better than Lord of Tears!

  Chocolatemountain212016-12-16

  I did like Lord of Tears and gave it 6 out of 10 but there is simply no comparison with The Unkindness of Ravens. Lord of Tears showed potential but the latest movie to come from director Lawrie Brewster shows that he got his act together with the issues that film had. The acting is utterly intense and the pace is insane especially in the last half. I don't think I've actually seen an indie horror put someone through so such hell since perhaps A Serbian Film! I'd compare The Unkindness of Ravens to The Evil Dead with parts reminding me of Phantasm. If that doesn't make much sense it's because there is not many films as strange as this. Some of the scenes are graphic and at times I had to look away as I have a thing about eyes... and so does this movie. It also made me feel for the character and the problems are vets come home with. You really care for him. Most important for me was that it didn't have a cop out ending - but an epic finale, won't say more than that. Another plus is that they got the guy from Lord of Tears with the beard who I thought was really good. Lord of Tears had me on the fence, but The Unkindness of Ravens seals the deal.

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• Lawrie and Sarah deliver again.

  dario-r-cardinale2017-01-23

  WARNING: This is an original horror tale, there is nothing out there like this. If original is what you want then look no further. Great stuff from Lawrie and Sarah again in creating a weird and twisted tale that takes you on psychological journey into the human mind after a horrific traumatic event. Jamie Scott Gordon's performance plus the eerie location and the wonderful soundtrack elevate this film to another level. Lord Of Tears and The Undkindness Of Ravens take me back to my youth of old British Horror movies which i am an avid fan of. Two different types of Horror, the first creepy and unsettling and the latter based on the character's personal demons and fears. Both equally effective in playing with your mind. Can't wait for the next project from these guys.

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• The Unkindness of Ravens is greatness of Ravens.

  marc-hollis2017-02-12

  I knew what to expect, having seen teaser trailers of this film on the Kickstarter page, to which l pledged my money and got my frights. I also did the same with these guys first film "Lord Of Tears" and second time around they have really notched up the terror tenfold. The images come thick and fast like a nightmare you cannot wake from, and the unease that pervades the whole film is testament to the craft and skill of Lawrie and Sarah in the choice of actors and brilliant script, and the settings, costumes and effects all add to the feeling of doom they were surely going for. The ravens morph into man-sized denizens of evil and torment our hero almost to death. I do not want to give anything away in case some people have not seen this and want to (l highly recommend you do by the way) but suffice it to say it was the most unsettling film l have seen all year, and will ever see l think. Fans of good psychological horror films will love this and rightly so. It is a tour-de-force, and l cannot wait for film 3 from Hex Media.

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