Movie Breakdown: The Power
Pre-Screening Stance:
A few years ago I likely would have skipped right over a film exclusive to a niche service like Shudder, but these days I’m operating with a “sure, why not” policy. Also, to be fair, The Power actually has a really creepy trailer.
Post-Screening Ramble:
The Power is a great slice of horror. It stars Rose Williams as Val, a young woman who – frankly – gets totally screwed over on her first shift as a nurse. You see, her boss (Diveen Henry) is eager to break her in, so Val finds herself working overnight on a skeleton crew that’s been tasked with taking care of the last few remaining patients in a dilapidated hospital. Oh, and due to a coal miner strike (the film takes place in London in the 70s), a planned blackout is set to leave the place dark for most of the night. I’d like to say the evening starts out OK, but it really doesn’t. The few staff members around are either strange or not welcoming, and right away there appears to be some sort of entity that very much wants Val’s attention (and her body, and possibly more).
The Power does two things particularly well. One is that it’s rather creepy. Most of this is due to it really leaning into its dark setting and milking that for all it’s worth, but even the scenes that take place in limited light are often unsettling. Overall, the film gives off a total claustrophobic feeling, like there is no escape since the entire hospital is seemingly immersed in infinite darkness. The other win that The Power packs is its message – it explores female oppression (the title of the film doesn’t just allude to electricity) and there’s a strong “believe victims/women” type angle at play. So, if you like your horror to have some solid weight to it, then you should definitely check out The Power.
The film will be available on Shudder this Thursday, April 8.
One Last Thought:
I’m not one to worry about ghosts and such, but you couldn’t pay me to stay overnight in a mostly empty hospital with intermittent blackouts. I don’t even like hospitals during the day when they’re fully populated and all of the lights are on.
