Writer-director Dean Puckett explores religious trauma, oppressed emotions, and familial dysfunction while asking what a true sin is in The Severed Sun. The ambitious horror-drama begins with Magpie (Emma Appleton) killing her abusive husband. In order to keep the peace within the very devoted, almost cult-like, religious community she lives in, Magpie claims it was an accident that took her husband. Unfortunately, virtually no one believes, causing great tension between Magpie and the rest of the community. David (Lewis Gribben) and her kids are the only people to stick by the murderer. However, her father, The Pastor (Toby Stephens), just so happens to be the leader of this religious community and tries to keep others off her back, as he does love Magpie.
But something even worse lies in wait. The Pastor catches wind of a dark husk with glowing eyes and spindly fingers beckoning others to indulge in their basest desires. It also seeks out the worst of humanity and slaughters them. Did Magpie invite this creature in with her longings to be free of her abusive husband and to leave the community? Or is it the sins the “most faithful” are harboring in the recesses of their minds that drive the monster to kill?
The Severed Sun features truly subtle moments of brilliance. When The Pastor’s right-hand man, John (Barney Harris), confides to David that he “loves another,” David replies, “I know.” The scene is fraught with the tension of what’s unspoken. The way The Pastor first comes upon Magpie after she’s missed service is simple but also threatening. Some scenes, of course, are more bombastic, but due to the way events unfold, these moments feel earned and are more effective.
“The Pastor catches wind of a dark husk with glowing eyes and spindly fingers beckoning others to indulge in their basest desires.”
The screenplay deftly weaves strong characterizations with intense themes. Magpie’s needs are directly tied to questioning what a sin is. David and John’s strong bond forces them to hide their true feelings from each other and themselves. The way this strict religious community operates forces people not to see what’s directly in their face, either out of fear of being shunned for feeling amoral. But the film asks if it is moral to deny one’s true self, much less not help children obviously in need of help.
The cast of The Severed Sun capably brings these complex themes and realistic people to life. Appleton shines as a woman who wants to be free to be herself. Her sternness during a tense conversation while gardening is genuine. Gribben is miles away from the adorable fool he played in the terrific Get Duked. He gets to wonderfully show off his range, especially when his loyalty is tested. Stephens is stunning as the controlling pastor. He really loves Magpie, but shoulders the burden of her sins. The actor wonderfully makes all watching question just how much he does what he does to control his flock and how much he believes all that he says.
The Severed Sun is a handsomely produced, eerily directed film. The cast shines from the beginning to the end, with each actor delivering a natural, believable performance. The script wisely trades in on perceived wickedness, bonds of friendship, and the horrors done in the name of religion to scary and thought-provoking effect.
For more information, visit the official The Severed Sun page.
"…handsomely produced, eerily directed..."
