Nightsiren
Directed by Tereza Nvotová
Written by Barbora Namerova and Tereza Nvotová
Starring Natalia Germani, Eva Mores, Juliana Olhová, Iva Bittová
Unrated
Runtime 106 minutes
In select theaters September 22nd

by Tori Potenza, Staff Writer

Content Warning: Violence towards women and children, depictions of abuse, discussions around pregnancy and miscarriages

As a film critic, sometimes there just is not enough time in the day to fit in a film you need to review. So that can mean having a very late night viewing in order to get your review in. When you see that the runtime is a little longer than you would like you might groan or grumble and you just hope that you can stay focused enough to give the film the attention it is due. Yet sometimes, if you are really lucky, a movie bewitches you the moment it begins and you forget about all the stress or lack of sleep and you become enraptured by the beautifully woven storytelling and moving pictures before you. This critic had this magical experience with Tereza Nvotová’s new Slovakian folk horror film, Nightsiren, which is particularly fitting given the thematic elements at its core. Nightsiren is a gorgeous spellbinding film that will leave you feeling satisfied and full.

The tale centers around Sarlota (Natalia Germani) who fled from her home as a young child after a traumatic event related to her mother and younger sister. Twenty years later she is summoned back to the village but is met with hostility by the locals who do not take kindly to outsiders. She hopes to find out what became of her mother and sister but few are willing to acknowledge her, much less let her in on their secrets. Her one friend is Mira (Eva Mores) an herbalist who is also somewhat of an outsider in her community. The longer Mira spends time there and tries to dig into her past the more tensions with the locals bubble to the surface local lore and superstitions cloud their judgment.

With its character-driven story, Nightsiren manages to create an important socially conscious film that manages to be moving and powerful with its subtlety. Through its main characters and the small band of villagers, we see how easily people can let fear creep into their hearts and become cruel and prejudiced to those around them. It reminds us that when we shut down that part of us that is intellectually curious and willing to learn and grow, all it does is bring harm, especially when those do not fit into their exact way of life. It manages to distill what sort of things happened during the witch trials but in a modern day setting. Reminding us that while things have changed, there are still witch hunts happening. And once people decide to base their opinions around superstitions, they forgo all reason.

While there is so much meaty story and character development throughout Nightsiren, what draws you in first is its impeccable look and cinematography. Set in the woods, it is full of lush greenery, picturesque settings, and a focus on the creatures and critters that call it home. It is hard not to get drawn into a fantasy about leaving behind modern luxuries and escaping into the forest. Even its many scenes at night are so well shot that you can see the depth of the darkness. To compliment this beauty is the choreography and movements of its characters. The leads often move in such a way that is natural and fluid and when it gets into more of its fantastical elements towards the climax, we get scenes full of gorgeous dance and movement that are breathtaking to watch. It is somehow both natural and meticulously put together.

That leaves the real thrust of the film which is its characters. Natalia Germani gives an inspiring performance as Sarlota. Through beautiful writing and body language we get to take in Sarlota in all of her complex beauty. While films like Barbie have lengthy monologues dedicated to the struggles of women, Germani is able to bring up the same struggles in simple subtle moments and delivery. Her struggles echo the struggles of many women who put the weight of the world on their shoulders and the pressures they put on themselves because they have been socialized in a patriarchal society. Eva Mores brings rebellious, caring, and mysterious elements to her performance and Mira and Even Iva Bittová manage to bring so much to the role of Otyla who has little to no dialogue in the few powerful scenes she has.

There is so much beauty in Nightsiren but there are also several depictions of abuse and violence that can be hard to grapple with. While elements of the story are fantastical and magical it is grounded in the realities of the patriarchy and the way women are seen as less than by men and even other women. These moments are difficult, but they are for a reason. It does not shy away from what women deal with and when they are given the space to be themselves away from judgemental eyes, we see how they weave magic through their unbridled freedom. In that way this is truly a love letter to witches and women who refuse to be less than.

It is rare that a movie can weave so many elements together yet still feel so effortlessly crafted. There is an ancient, natural, very grounded beauty that comes forth in Nightsiren that reminds us that the art of filmmaking is magic. And as the SAG/AFTRA and WGA strikes continue on it is important to remember that we need our actors and writers if we want this magic to continue to spellbind us. Similar to recent releases like The Five Devils and You Won’t Be Alone, Nightsiren finds a simple yet mystical way of exploring humanity, society, and womanhood through strong performances and impeccable filmmaking. Yet makes something that is so unique and special it would be hard to replicate.