- Directed by Em J. Gilbertson
- Written by Laura Jane Runbridge
- Stars Bella Ramsey, Safia Oakley Green, Simon Bacon, Sean Buchanan
- Run Time: 24:12
- Watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU5WUc2KhKc
Synopsis
It’s the year 1605 in England. The preacher holds Evelyn back as she watches someone burn.
We cut to a sermon given by her father, Minister Gilbert. Afterward, Mr. Shorter suggests that maybe she would want to marry his son, Matthew, but she’s definitely not into that idea. Mary comes in, and they’re good friends– inappropriately good friends. Gilbert tells Evelyn to strongly consider marrying Matthew and to forget about Mary.
Gilbert insists that witches may be tried; God will protect them if they’re innocent. Evelyn thinks there may be more mundane things going on than witchcraft. The next day, she meets up with Mary, and we find out why she’s not interested in Matthew. Some men walk by and see them together.
So how does a same-sex relationship work out in the Puritanical witch-hunt days? Not well.
Commentary
It’s got a pretty big budget; the costumes and sets are really good, and there are a lot of actors involved. It’s also very well thought out. The divider down the length of the bed is something I hadn’t seen before, but it makes sense considering the situation.
There are several slow stretches that could have been condensed or cut; the pacing is pretty slow. Still, they’ve got those sets, and they weren’t afraid to use them. Once we understand the situation, there really aren’t any surprises here. It’s definitely more of a period drama than horror, but the ending certainly qualifies it.