Why ‘Starve Acre’ is Scarier For Parents
‘Starve Acre,’ Daniel Kokotajlo’s chilling adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel, is a horror film that stands strong on its own merits. However, it takes on a particularly terrifying edge for new parents, tapping into some of the deepest fears and anxieties associated with raising a child. The film stars Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark as parents grappling with the loss of their son and the eerie, supernatural forces seemingly tied to their land. The result is a moody and atmospheric film that leaves a lasting impact, particularly on those who have recently embarked on the journey of parenthood.
The film’s narrative is centred around the devastating loss of Owen, the couple’s young son, who suffers a fatal asthma attack early in the story. From this point, ‘Starve Acre’ weaves a complex tapestry of grief, guilt, and the supernatural. The direction by Kokotajlo keeps the supernatural elements ambiguous, making the grief and pain of Owen’s death feel all too real. The atmosphere shifts deftly between the eerie and the tragic, creating a tension that is both unsettling and deeply moving.
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One of the film’s most effective techniques is its use of the supernatural to amplify universal parental fears. Early in the film, Owen attacks a pony at a local fair, an event that sets off the film’s central drama. This disturbing act, which lands Owen in therapy, hints at a malevolent force connected to the land. The film leaves viewers with an unsettling dilemma: is something haunting the child, or is there something inherently dangerous within him? This tension is masterfully portrayed by Smith and Clark, whose performances balance unconditional love with the painful realisation that something might be wrong.
‘Starve Acre’ is not just a horror story but also a deeply human one. It taps into the primal fears of parenthood—the fear of losing a child, the fear of being a flawed parent, and the fear of how grief can transform one’s life. The horror genre has long used children as focal points for terror, with films like ‘Don’t Look Now,’ ‘Pet Sematary’ and ‘Hereditary’ exploring the devastating impact of a child’s death. However, ‘Starve Acre’ brings this theme to life with a potency that resonates more deeply with parents who have experienced the profound emotions associated with raising a child.
The film explores the full spectrum of emotions that arise from such a tragedy, from moments of vindictive anger to flashes of empathy and despair. Richard’s visions of a regenerating hare’s skeleton could be interpreted as the splintering of his mind, while Juliette’s delay in saving Owen is left ambiguously between supernatural influence and human weakness. These elements underscore the fears of being a flawed parent, fears that ‘Starve Acre’ portrays with haunting accuracy.
The film’s climax is particularly disturbing, as Richard and Juliette’s acceptance of the supernatural forces around them leads to horrific decisions. Their willingness to murder those close to them in a desperate bid to reclaim a semblance of their lost family highlights the lengths to which grief can drive parents. It’s a terrifying concept, one that forces viewers to confront the darkest possibilities of parental love and loss.
‘Starve Acre’ is a powerful addition to the horror genre, especially for those who are parents. It takes the familiar themes of grief and supernatural terror and grounds them in a narrative that feels both personal and universal. The film lingers long after the credits roll, leaving new parents with a chilling reminder of the fears that lurk just beneath the surface of everyday life.
