Mara (2018) Movie Review

Mara is the new film (released on September 7, 2018) from producer Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious), writers Jonathan Frank and Clive Tonge, the latter also directed. The psychological horror/thriller stars Olga Kurylenko (The Death of Stalin, Oblivion, Vampire Academy), Javier Botet (It, Slender Man, Insidious: The Last Key) and Mitch Eakins (Glory Road, Evil Bong).

If you weren’t previously afraid of the dark and the creatures within, you might be after watching Mara. The film seems to unknowingly combine classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street and, well, pretty much any spiritual/religious horror since The Exorcist, including Insidious.

In terms of what the movie is about, the synopsis below will tell you pretty much all you need to know. However, you probably won’t be interested in Mara if you don’t enjoy the occasional jump scare, the genuine spiritual horror, or the moderately acted parts because of the moderate direction. For the verdict, see below.

Mara Synopsis:

Criminal psychologist Kate Fuller is assigned to the murder of a man who has seemingly been strangled in his sleep by his wife and the only witness is their eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. As Kate digs into the mystery of an ancient demon which kills people in their sleep, she experiences the same petrifying symptoms as all previous victims and spirals through a chilling nightmare to save herself and Sophie before she dares fall asleep again.

The Verdict:

Mara can be enjoyed through and through, but keep in mind that it’s not an A-lister movie. The story is solid, the acting is solid, but neither are delivered as best as they could be. Will the movie plant a seed in your head? Yes. Will the movie creep you out? It might? Will it keep you awake at night? That depends on your disposition. I slept fine.

Rock Hard \m/