"Still/Born" Summary
Still/Born is a 2017 Canadian psychological horror film directed and co-written by Brandon Christensen. The story revolves around Mary (played by Christie Burke), a woman who experiences the joy and tragedy of childbirth simultaneously when she gives birth to twins, but only one survives. The film navigates through Mary's psychological landscape as she grapples with postpartum depression, gradually descending into a terrifying suspicion that a malevolent entity is after her surviving child.
Mary's husband, Jack (played by Jesse Moss), leaves for a business trip, exacerbating her isolation and fear. As she becomes more sleep-deprived and haunted by visions, particularly involving her baby monitor, the line between reality and hallucination blurs, intensifying the film's psychological horror elements.
Still/Born was noted for its psychological depth, primarily exploring themes like maternal fear, postpartum depression, and the grief of losing a child. The film received generally positive reviews, with critics particularly praising Christie Burke's performance. It celebrated its world premiere at the 2017 Overlook Film Festival in Mount Hood, Oregon, where it was awarded the festival's Scariest Feature Award.
The film's portrayal of postpartum depression and psychosis through a horror lens has been both a point of critique and praise, as it navigates the delicate balance between being disturbing and potentially exploitative. The narrative builds on a very real medical condition, using jump-scare horror elements to convey the protagonist's escalating terror and irrationality. Critics have noted that while the film follows some familiar horror tropes, Christie Burke's grounded performance stands out, effectively conveying the depth of Mary's trauma and fear.
Film Reviews
Bradley Stuckel's cinematography in "Still/Born," directed by Brandon Christensen, is pivotal in establishing the film's psychological horror and suspenseful atmosphere. The movie, which deals with themes like postpartum depression and the horror of losing a child, benefits from Stuckel's ability to visually capture these complex emotional states.
- Roger Ebert's review notes the film's exploration of postpartum depression and psychosis within a horror framework. The review highlights the effective creation of tension and atmosphere, a feat that is significantly supported by Stuckel's cinematography, which enhances the narrative's emotional depth and horror elements.
- Ready Steady Cut praises the film for smartly tethering its horror elements to a sincere and relatable emotional hook, much like the folkloric bogeyman concept. Stuckel's cinematography contributes to this metaphorical use of horror, providing a realistic yet haunting visual style that complements the film's themes.
- On-Magazine commends the film for its impressive handling of tension and narrative despite a low budget. Stuckel's cinematography is integral to this success, as it helps to ground the film's portrayal of postnatal depression and demonic threat in a visually compelling manner.
- Screen Daily's FrightFest Review highlights the film's effective use of horror conventions and chilling narrative delivery. The ambiguity maintained throughout the film about the reality of the monster is enhanced by Stuckel's cinematography, which plays a critical role in the film's visual storytelling.
- All Horror describes "Still/Born" as a surprisingly gripping story that effectively combines themes of demonic entities and postpartum depression. The suspense and dread are heightened by the film's cinematography, contributing significantly to the unsettling experience for viewers.
Overall, Bradley Stuckel's cinematography in "Still/Born" is crucial in creating a tense and atmospheric backdrop that complements the film's psychological horror themes. The visual style is key in immersing the audience in the protagonist's harrowing experience, elevating the film's impact in the horror genre.
For more detailed reviews and insights on Bradley Stuckel's cinematography in "Still/Born," you can refer to the following sources:
- Roger Ebert's Review
- Ready Steady Cut Review
- On-Magazine Review
- Screen Daily's FrightFest Review
- All Horror Review
Creative Team
Director:
- Brandon Christensen
Producers:
- Chris Ball
- Kurtis David Harder
- Colin Minihan
Production Companies:
- Digital Interference Productions
- Hadron Films
Cinematography:
- Bradley Stuckel
Music:
- Blitz//Berlin
Cast:
- Christie Burke as Mary
- Jesse Moss as Jack
- Rebecca Olson as Rachel
- Jenn Griffin as Jane
- Michael Ironside as Dr. Neilson
Writing:
- Brandon Christensen (co-writer)
- Colin Minihan (co-writer)
Awards Recognition
- Golden Trailer Awards (2018):
- Nominee: Best Independent Trailer (Film Budget Under A Million US)
- Sin City Horror Fest (2017):
- Winner: Best Cinematography - Bradley Stuckel
- Winner: Best Director - Brandon Christensen
- The Overlook Film Festival (2018):
- Winner: Jury Award, Scariest Film Award - Brandon Christensen, Kurtis David Harder, Colin Minihan, Chris Ball
Technical Details
"Spiral" premiered in August 2019 at Arrow Video Frightfest and was later released on Shudder in September 2020.
Camera:
Red Scarlet
Lenses:
Cooke S4
Aspect Ratio:
2.39:1
Printed Format:
DCP Digital Cinema Package, Video (UHD)
Sound mix
Dolby Surround 5.1
Distribution by AMC Networks Shudder streaming platform.