Marrowbone (2017)
Directed by Sergio G. Sánchez
Starring George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Mia Goth, Matthew Stagg, Nicola Harrison, Kyle Soller, Tom Fisher

Not sure when I first heard of this but I’m irritated that it took me two years to sit down with it, because it surely would have been on my best of that year. But I’m pretty sure it will make this year’s list. Yes, it is that good.

In the mid ’60s, a woman and her four children move back into family’s home, seemingly on the run from their father. The woman is gravely ill and worries about the fate of her children after she is gone, relying on the oldest, Jack, to hide them from the world until he turns 21 and then is able to legally care for them. We’re not sure at first just why they are hiding from the father or even his fate, but we know they are scared to death of him, no matter what state he might be in.

The kids meet up with a local young woman who works at the library in town, who befriends the family, as well as falling for Jack in the process. As the story progresses, we learn more of the family’s history, more about their father, all the while the plot seems to twist and turn, until it all is finally revealed. Jack is played by George MacKay and does an outstanding job here, putting himself through a lot of emotions to keep the story going. Anya Taylor-Joy, just a couple years after her stellar performance in Robert Eggers The Witch (2015), is the character that, like the viewer, is the outsider that is trying to learn about what exactly happened to this poor family to put them in such terror.

Sergio G. Sánchez, who wrote The Orphanage (2007), which I simply love, has written yet another incredible story of family, love, and lost, but this time taking the reins of the director as well. He captures the viewer, leading them down a path where he shows you glimpses of something, but never really showing you the whole picture until he wants to. There are more than a few scenes that will genuinely creep you out, getting to the viewer through atmosphere and style.  I really hope he continues this trend because I cannot wait to see what he does next.