Watch The Atoning

The Atoning is a 2017 horror film directed by Michael Williams and starring Virginia Newcomb, Cannon Bosarge, and Michael LaCour. The film takes place in a remote farmhouse where a family of three – Vera, Ray, and their son Sam – are haunted by the terrifying spirits that inhabit the dark corners of their home. The film opens with a scene of young Sam being tormented by an unseen entity in his bedroom. The experience is so traumatizing that it causes Vera and Ray to seek the help of paranormal investigators to get to the bottom of the strange occurrences in their home. As the investigation progresses, it becomes apparent that the ghosts may be connected to a tragic event that took place in the house years before.

The Atoning is a chilling exploration of family, guilt, and redemption. Throughout the film, the characters are forced to confront their past mistakes and the consequences of their actions. In particular, Vera is haunted by the memory of a terrible decision she made years ago that continues to affect her relationship with her husband and son as well as the supernatural events in their home.

The acting in The Atoning is superb, with Virginia Newcomb delivering a standout performance as Vera. Her portrayal of a mother struggling with guilt and fear in the face of a supernatural threat is both nuanced and powerful. Cannon Bosarge is also impressive as Ray, bringing depth and complexity to a character who is initially presented as a simple country handyman.

One of the film's strongest aspects is its use of tension and suspense. The Atoning expertly builds an atmosphere of dread and unease, with Williams masterfully employing slow camera movements and eerie sound design to create a sense of foreboding. The ghostly apparitions that appear throughout the film are genuinely frightening, with their gory and unsettling appearances providing a stark contrast to the tranquil rural setting.

While The Atoning is definitely a horror film, it is also a deeply emotional and introspective work. The film's exploration of the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and sacrifice elevates it above typical genre fare, and the subtle character development is a refreshing change from the usual horror cliches. Additionally, the film's resolution is both satisfying and surprising, providing a fitting conclusion to the story's themes and plot.

Overall, The Atoning is an excellent horror film that manages to balance genuine scares with a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes. Its strong performances, expertly-crafted tension, and deep emotional subtext make it a standout work in the genre. If you're a fan of horror with a bit more substance and heart, then The Atoning is definitely worth a watch.

The Atoning is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.