By Mark Walker 
The Banished (2024)
Written and directed by Joseph Sims-Dennett
Terror is a place.
The Banished opens with Grace (Meg Eloise-Clarke) lost in the wilderness, looking for Mr Green (Leighton Cardno) an old teacher and guide who was taking her to a remote woodland commune to find her estranged brother, David (Gautier de Fontaine). Grace left her hometown years before to escape an abusive father but feels guilty for leaving her brother behind and failing to come to his aid when he asked for her help.
Returning home after her father dies, she fixates on finding David to right wrongs and seek forgiveness. Talking to various family and community members she discovers her brother has likely joined a remote and secretive commune in the woods. An old teacher of hers claims to know where the commune can be found, so she enlists his help to navigate the wilderness and find David.
Will Grace find her brother?
Probably.
Will heading into the wilderness with a mildly odd guide looking for what could be a reclusive cult end well?
Probably not…
Will people never learn!?
The first half of the movie flits between scenes of Grace lost in the wilderness searching for David and of the build-up before she eventually leaves town with Mr Green. This is handled well, so it isn’t confusing, and slowly fills the gaps in the story and how Grace becomes lost; it allows us to get to know Grace and her story, while simultaneously building tension over her predicament.
As Grace gets more and more lost the strands of the story merge into a single thread and the last act of the film sees her find the commune and David. The joy of finding her brother is contrasted sharply with the horror of discovering just what the commune means to its members.
Then things get really weird, Grace’s demons come home to roost as she faces the past and her guilt, and her story ends ambiguously in an old mining shaft. 
And that is both The Banished’s strength and weakness. The ending throws all of Grace’s fears onscreen as she faces her brother, her dead father and supposedly dementia suffering mother, but it is ambiguous and open to interpretation. Movies like this always divide the audience as they don’t resolve everything neatly or answer all the questions that will have been building up over the course of the movie.
Just to throw another spanner into the works, there is a scene in the movie that could leave you wondering whether everything that happens after it is real or not, obfuscating the truth behind the final scenes (well it did for me). However, there is enough detail to help the audience work out most of what is going on or at least form their own interpretation. How frustrating this will be will vary depending on each individual and how desperate you are for full disclosure.
Sims-Dennett has done a good job here, offering an ending that I didn’t feel was deliberately confusing, but thought-provoking. Did I fully understand it? Probably not. But I did find myself thinking about it after the credits rolled, teasing at the clues and thinking about what the movie meant to me. Yes, I did. Which is what art should do, isn’t it?
Either way, as always, your mileage may vary. This makes it hard to universally recommend the film as it will be received in so many different ways but, if you are okay with movies that don’t completely hold your hand, and enjoy a bit of a mystery to untangle, then I think you’ll be fine.
The Banished is a slow burn, so don’t expect much action, although things do hot up when Grace finally finds the commune and her brother, a reunion played out against the backdrop of some brutal violence. It’s also not out and out scary but plays to its strengths of growing unease and dread as Grace’s situation worsens. It sets the audience adrift by holding aspects of the story back but also positing that age old question, “what would you do?”
This is clearly a low-budget film and has that “feel” about it, but it is still a well-directed movie with a decent cast. Most of the movie is spent in the company of Grace and Mr Green and Eloise-Clarke and Cardno work well together. Eloise-Clarke portrays Grace’s naivety and desperation, turning to panic and vulnerability as the increasingly odd Mr Green leads her into the wilderness. There are plenty of weird supporting characters doing an excellent job of acting creepy while trying to warn Grace away from her search for David; do they know more than they are letting on?
The script maybe needed a bit of a polish in places, but it’s not a major issue as Eloise-Clarke’s performance will let you overlook a few lines of clunky dialogue.
The Banished isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s a film about abuse, guilt, family and being trapped by the past. It ends in a way that leaves much open to interpretation which will annoy many but has had me thinking about it for a few days after watching. It is further evidence (if it was ever needed) that going to look for missing family or friends, either on your own, or with slightly untrustworthy companions, is always a no-no – especially if you plan to do it in a forest.
The Banished comes to streaming on 28th July from Blue Finch Films.
Further Reading
Horror movie fans looking to deepen their appreciation for the genre should definitely check out the Horror Movie Review section of Ginger Nuts of Horror. This platform is a treasure trove of insights, critiques, and discussions that resonate with both casual viewers and dedicated aficionados alike.
Firstly, the reviews are penned by passionate writers who understand the intricacies of horror filmmaking. They delve deep into the elements that make each film unique, from unsettling visuals to compelling sound design, offering a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond superficial impressions. Such in-depth reviews can enhance viewers’ understanding and appreciation of the genre, revealing layers of meaning and intention that may go unnoticed during a first watch.
Lastly, with its focus on both mainstream and indie films, the Horror Movie Review section is an excellent resource to stay updated on upcoming releases and trends in the horror landscape. For any horror buff, exploring The Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website is an essential step toward a deeper connection with the genre.
Hope Madden