"Black Death" (2010)

I don't usually watch a lot of modern horror, but the premise for this one seemed good, and it's got Sean Bean in it, of whom I am a fan. Physically he's the identical twin of Boromir from "Lord of the Rings," down to a similar costume and the exact hairstyle, but mentally he's a zealot obsessed with his quest which he's determined is right. So basically Boromir from "Lord of the Rings." Not to belittle his performance - he's a marvellous actor and fantastic in both roles.

The plot centers on Brother Osmund, a young novice, who volunteers to join a band of men sent to a village which has somehow been immune from the Black Death sweeping across the rest of the country. The men are there to find the necromancer whom they believe is protecting the village and bring him back to the Bishop for justice. At first you think it's going to be anti-Christian in the extreme, but like the 1973 horror classic, "The Wicker Man," this film isn't that black and white. In fact, it keeps you guessing over whom to sympathize with and whom to trust. Ultimately the story isn't anti-Christian or anti-Pagan, but, like "The Wicker Man," ambiguous over where it stands on religion. Religion isn't really the point. It's more about how people are manipulated through religion, whether Christian or Pagan, and the horrible acts that desperate or deluded people are capable of. 

It's a really clever premise and it's executed very well indeed. Eddie Redmayne as Brother Osmund has come on as an actor in leaps and bounds since the last feature I saw him in, the recent BBC adaptation of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles." He mainly stared his way through that part, but the part of Angel is rather a boring one, and given an actual role and a three-dimensional character to act, he shines beautifully. Sean Bean is magnificent as usual - you go from initially finding him hypocritical and contemptible to letting out a cheer when he reveals a twist at the end. There are a few twists, actually, which only add to the enjoyment of the film. Just when you've figured something out, something new is thrown at you which puts the whole previous scene in a different light. Carice van Houten gives a very impressive performance as the leader of the village, and Tim McInnerney is a far cry from Captain Darling, proving himself a very capable actor both comically and dramatically.

This is good, strong horror, very strong at some points (I admit to turning away during the scene where one of the characters was quartered), but despite the gore, the real horror is more psychological, and this is a rare and wonderful thing. If you are a fan of insightful horror, please watch this one. If you don't have a strong stomach, please don't.