This Horror Movie About Grief Had Me Wishing Its Story Was As Strong As Its Characters
In the ever-evolving landscape of horror cinema, themes of grief and trauma have taken center stage, providing fertile ground for innovative storytelling. One such film, The Killgrin, attempts to navigate this terrain through the harrowing journey of Miranda (played by Konstantina Mantelos), who grapples with the monumental weight of losing someone to suicide. As she joins a support group and explores alternative healing methods, a spiritual guide hints at a darker reality: Miranda is being pursued by a sinister force known as the "Killgrin," a manifestation that thrives on her sorrow. With potential connections to masterful works like The Babadook and Hereditary, the film sets itself up for a poignant exploration of loss.
The Killgrin Gets Lost Despite Having A Clear-Cut Message About Grief
An Uneven Yet Thought-Provoking Examination of Loss
While The Killgrin begins with a tantalizing premise, it soon falters, wanders, and stretches its potential thin. Despite presenting intriguing perspectives on mourning, the 2025 horror movie frequently loses momentum, becoming muddied by distractions that steal focus from its core narrative. The film lays a solid foundation at its inception, yet gradually devolves into confusion. Consequently, its meaningful message regarding grief loses clarity amid an influx of subplots that detract from its impact.
Elevating Characters in a Flawed Narrative
Most of the film’s strength lies within its performances. Konstantina Mantelos delivers a compelling portrayal of a woman consumed by grief, creating moments of raw vulnerability that resonate deeply. Alongside her, Adam Tsekhman shines as Brian, a member of Miranda’s support group with ambiguous motives. Supporting characters like Peter MacNeill’s Sam and Cristo Fernández’s Damien—who is notably known from Ted Lasso—contribute significantly despite their limited screen time, weaving in clever nuances that underscore the film’s exploration of grief.
"The movie quickly telegraphs the significance of its monster, linking it to Miranda’s traumatic experiences."
Unsticking the Landing: A Messy Execution
Yet, despite formidable performances, the film struggles in its execution. Miranda’s relationship with the Killgrin evolves predictably, with the narrative underlining its ties to traumatic events early on. Unfortunately, the film veers toward an excessive focus on Miranda’s paranoia about her ex-boyfriend Damien stalking her. This plot, while attempting to deepen tension, often derails the film’s central themes, causing unnecessary confusion amid the ongoing paranormal atmosphere.
A Grief-Focused Film That Doesn’t Quite Connect
As the film attempts to convey its larger message, the dour undertones risk becoming overshadowed by the Killgrin’s portrayal as a conventional slasher villain. While the monster retains a semblance of depth, its potential is scarcely realized, primarily because the narrative’s preoccupations pull it in various directions. This lack of focus renders an otherwise intriguing concept into a frustrating experience, trailing behind its peers in the horror genre that adeptly handle themes of grief.
The Killgrin: A Narrative Needing Focus
Awesome Characters, Rushed Moments, and Tangents
The central tension of The Killgrin often dissipates due to drawn-out sections that clash with its intended mood. Although some detours aim to enhance the narrative’s messaging, tonal inconsistencies disrupt the film’s cohesion. Those moments of levity, while welcome, lead to episodes that seem out of sync with the overall narrative, leaving the audience yearning for a more streamlined experience.
In retrospect, The Killgrin holds immense promise with its concept and characters. However, it fails to fully follow through on its potential, with strong performances unable to salvage a narrative that feels disjointed and underdeveloped. As the film progresses toward its conclusion, audiences may find themselves less engaged, longing for a tighter grasp on the story’s true focus. In doing so, The Killgrin may ultimately be remembered as a missed opportunity in the horror genre—one that could have been a haunting exploration of grief and trauma had it successfully executed its premise.
If you’re searching for more films that tackle the intricacies of grief, be sure to check out related discussions on Horror Movies About Grief.
