Watch The Sonata

The Sonata is a 2018 mystery thriller that centers around a young composer, Rose Fisher (Freya Tingley), who inherits her late father's mansion in France. She discovers a mysterious music score, composed by her father, that leads her on a journey to uncover the truth about her family's past. Rose, a talented pianist, had a complicated relationship with her father, renowned composer Richard Marlowe (James Faulkner). When she receives a letter notifying her of her father's death, she returns to France to process his affairs. Marlowe was known to be reclusive and had not spoken with Rose in years. She discovers that her father had been working on a composition for years that he had never finished.

The story sets off with a slow buildup as Rose gets to know her father's former housekeeper, Ada (Rutger Hauer), and local historian, Charles Vernais (Simon Abkarian). They share their memories and insights into Richard's personality, and more importantly, his mysterious past. Although Richard's estate is worth a fortune, it quickly becomes evident that he has accumulated more enemies than friends throughout his career.

As she uncovers the truth behind her father's work and past, Rose discovers a dark secret that has haunted her family for centuries. The truth reveals that Marlowe had made a dangerous pact with a supernatural being to achieve fame and fortune. The sonata that he had composed was the final payment to the devil – a masterpiece that would guarantee his success in exchange for the sacrifice of his daughter's soul.

The Sonata has a few twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The suspenseful tone, haunting music, and gothic atmosphere create a brooding sense of terror, which is quite effective at immersing viewers in the story. The characters are well-rounded, and their motivations are realistic, making everything feel plausible.

Despite its excellent production values and emotionally intense performances, the Sonata suffers from a few pacing issues, and some of the plot elements are predictable. The story's climax is both satisfying and cryptic, leaving the audience with more questions than answers. However, it is a well-crafted thriller that offers a different angle into the horror genre, and it proves to be engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, The Sonata is a gripping mystery thriller with an artful mix of supernatural and psychological horrors. It boasts strong performances, a captivating storyline, and a haunting score. While it might not be to everyone's tastes, those looking for a dark, unpredictable tale will find plenty to enjoy in this film.

The Sonata is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 41.