REVIEW: ‘The Damned’ Creatively Showcases The Effects Of Guilt

There are a few things more taxing than a guilty conscience. The burden of a major offense could be debilitating, while something less egregious might still produce a decent amount of anxiety. Regardless, the overbearing weight of one’s actions is the cause for concern. Troubled days followed by sleepless nights – guilt can wear a person down mentally, physically, and, in the case of Thordur Palsson’s enthralling horror film, The Damned (2024), spiritually.

The Damned (not to be confused with Roberto Minervini’s civil war film) illustrates the prolonged effects of guilt through a supernatural lens. This is initially showcased by Eva (Odessa Young), the newly appointed head of an Icelandic fishing outpost, as she struggles to justify her refusal to help a shipwrecked crew.

Low provisions during winter and the notion that those drowning in the icy water might capsize a fishing boat forces her hand. The whole ordeal is terrible. That said, it’s Young’s riveting portrayal of a conflicted Eva that nails the severity of the situation.

The Damned (2024) is propelled by its leads.

The decision to prioritize the lives of the fishing crew results in a heavy burden. Young’s subtle shifts in demeanor allude to this dilemma; without speaking, she convincingly depicts the guilt that creeps into Eva’s mind as bodies wash up on the shore. When her attempt to recover supplies from the wreckage leads to more death, seemingly invoking the wrath of a revenant-like creature from Norse mythology, Young’s grounded performance conveys a real sense of dread.

Joe Cole’s depiction of lead fisherman Daniel is also solid. Eager to support those in his care yet skeptical of anything paranormal, Daniel struggles to maintain order. He also has a hard time accepting his role in a violent encounter with a stranger.

Essentially, Daniel is haunted in more ways than one – which is reflected in Cole’s measured responses to a given situation. His ability to capture the gradual unraveling of a stoic individual as they succumb to the madness happening around them is admirable.

Though Young and Cole stood out amongst the cast, they weren’t the only ones delivering memorable performances. Siobhan Finneran unnerves as the purveyor of bad omens, Helga. Lewis Gribben and Francis Magee are also intriguing, as are the spiritually inclined Jonas and pragmatic Skuli, respectively.

Honestly, the entire cast is great. And thanks to a good script and excellent pacing, their acting is better met; The Damned (2024) wouldn’t be as successful without the direction of Thordur Palsson and his writing partner, Jamie Hannigan.

The Damned’s flaw is its subtlety. 

Everything from the set location – the “trapped in an isolated outpost” vibe is reminiscent of films like John Carpenter’s The Thing – to the sometimes jarring but calculated scene transitions help to create the ominous atmosphere the film needs.

Of course, that’s not to say that The Damned (2024) is perfect. The plot elements that reference modern immigration issues, for instance, are too subtle to be impactful. A shame, considering how the film leans on this aspect in its final moments.

Eva and Daniel’s hinted love affair also underwhelms. Their potential entanglement could’ve added to their overall guilt, considering Daniel was a friend of Eva’s deceased husband. However, aside from their eagerness to help one another during key moments, their brief encounters ultimately go nowhere.

The biggest issue The Damned (2024) faces is how unscary things become once its “monster” is fully revealed. When it’s a shadow at the edge of the screen or some distorted shape in the distance, it instills fear. And the way it haunts people’s dreams before inevitably assaulting their waking hours is indeed distressing. All of that changes, however, when the creature becomes recognizable. And while this and other issues don’t outright ruin The Damned, they do stop it from being the great horror movie it could’ve been.

The Damned (2024) is an intriguing horror film that creatively showcases the damaging effects of guilt. Initially frightening, thanks to a solid cast and eerie atmosphere, it has the potential to stick with viewers long after the credits roll. And while The Damned has its issues–namely, some undercooked plot elements and a monster that loses its edge over time–there’s nothing that should keep horror fans from checking it out when it hits theaters early next year.

The Damned (2024) releases in theaters on January 3rd, 2025.