The Damned (15) |Close-Up Film Review
Dir: Thordur Palsson, UK/Ireland/Iceland/US, 2024, 127 minutes
Cast: Odessa Young, Joe Cole, Lewis Gribben
Review by Matthew Morlai Kamara
As the survivors of the wreck plead for help, Eva and her community face an impossible choice: extend their dwindling supplies to strangers or secure their own survival by turning away. What follows is a tense and emotionally charged story, as cracks in the community deepen, alliances are tested, and Eva’s strength as both a leader and a human being is pushed to the edge. The drama escalates with each passing moment, pulling audiences into a world where survival and morality are in constant conflict.
This evocative narrative delves deeply into the cost of difficult choices, exploring themes of sacrifice, humanity, and the fragility of compassion under immense pressure.
The Damned excels as a cinematic masterpiece, marrying breathtaking visuals with a story that resonates on a profoundly emotional level. Director Thordur Palsson crafts an immersive atmosphere, where the icy, desolate landscape becomes as pivotal to the film’s mood as its characters. The stark beauty of Iceland’s coastline is both mesmerizing and menacing, reflecting the inner turmoil of the characters.
Odessa Young delivers a standout performance as Eva, embodying her character’s resilience and vulnerability with remarkable authenticity. Her portrayal captures the quiet power and despair of a woman caught between duty and conscience, elevating the film into a poignant meditation on human endurance.
What sets The Damned apart is its refusal to offer simplistic resolutions. The film thrives on its moral ambiguity, challenging viewers to wrestle with the same impossible decisions its characters face. This is complemented by a haunting score and cinematography that captures every shadow and glint of frost, amplifying the tension to near-breaking point. For fans of thought-provoking cinema, this film offers a raw, unforgettable experience. A masterful exploration of survival and sacrifice, it solidifies itself as a haunting reflection on the complexities of human nature.
