Everyone wants to be loved, but there is a fine line between a healthy, loving relationship and an unhealthy, compulsive kind of love. Some of the most beautiful, and terrifying, love stories belong to ancient Irish mythology. For instance, the tale of Clíodhna and Ciabhan tells the story of Clíodhna, Queen of the Banshees and member of a supernatural race of God-like beings, who made the mistake of falling in love with a mortal from Ireland named Ciabhan. Their forbidden romance angered the other gods, causing the God of the Sea to punish the lovers by playing an enchanting song, which hypnotized Clíodhna. Entranced, Clíodhna fell asleep and was swept away by the ocean, never to be with Ciabhan.
All You Need is Death, written and directed by Irish filmmaker Paul Duane (Best Before Death, While You Live, Shine), is a cleverly crafted story of young lovers Anna (Simone Collins) and Aleks (Charlie Maher) that feels like the sort of forbidden Irish fairy tale one would tell while sitting around a fire late at night. All You Need is Death begins with an unknown man being interviewed by police, before introducing Anna, who is being accused of recording a musician in a bar. Anna and Aleks attempt to make a living by spending their nights playing in a band in small bars and at weddings but believe they have figured out a better, faster way to the fame and fortune they desire. When they aren’t playing with the band, the couple seeks out old Irish songs, sometimes secretly recording them, and later sells them to wealthy buyers.
Eventually, Anna and Aleks attend group meetings led by Agnes (Catherine Siggin), an older, mysterious woman, with questionable intentions, who is also looking for ancient songs. When the couple tells Agnes they heard rumors about an old woman named Rita Concannon (Olwen Fouéré) who might know an obscure Irish song that they could sell, Agnes tells them the woman died several years ago. Anna and Aleks finally track down Rita Concannon, who is very much alive, only to find Agnes at her house trying to get the song from her before they can. Rita agrees to sing a song she learned from her mother that was passed down through generations of women, but she will only sing it for Anna. Rita explains that the song isn’t in Irish; it’s a much older language and was only allowed to be shared between mothers and their daughters.
Aleks is waiting outside Rita’s house and is surprised when Anna comes out visibly upset after listening to the unearthly, ancient song Rita sang for her. Anna was not allowed to record the song, but she can sing it from memory and the couple begins attempting to translate the song, hoping they can sell it and have a better life. Unfortunately, the song has an unusual, bewitching effect on anyone who hears it, especially men.
All You Need is Death is dripping with atmosphere and dread and doesn’t need to rely on flashy special effects or jump scares. Makeup and visual effects are minimalist, yet incredibly effective. Strong, convincing performances and a haunting, well-written script with themes of witchcraft and ancient rituals mesmerize the viewer in much the same way as the eerie song Rita sings for Anna. The film is an effortlessly hypnotic lesson on the horror of all-consuming love and the desire to consume another person.
Culminating in a jaw-dropping finale, All You Need is Death is an expertly executed, tragic love story and a beautifully written ode to ancient Irish folklore.
All You Need is Death premiered at 2024 Panic Fest, which offered a hybrid festival experience this year. It will be in select U.S. cinemas and on VOD from XYZ Films on April 11th.
The post ‘All You Need Is Death’ Review – Bewitching Irish Folk Tale Sings of the Tragedy of All-Consuming Love appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
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