Sundance Review: THE MOOGAI is a Slow-Burn Horror Film Rooted in Aboriginal Folklore
The Moogai is an Aboriginal horror thriller that takes audiences on a chilling journey into the depths of supernatural horror, expertly blending Indigenous folklore with a mother's descent into madness. Directed by Jon Bell and produced by the team behind acclaimed films like The Babadook and Talk to Me, this debut feature promises an unsettling exploration of family, fear, and the unseen malevolent forces that threaten to tear them apart.
The story follows a young Aboriginal couple who should be celebrating the arrival of their second child. However, what should be a joyous occasion quickly takes a sinister turn when the mother starts to perceive a malevolent spirit that seems intent on stealing her baby.
Drawing inspiration from Indigenous lore, Bell crafts a thematically rich narrative that immediately establishes the lurking menace of a child-stealing spirit. The movie does a great job blending supernatural horror with the fragile psychology of a new mother, blurring the lines between exhaustion, paranoia, and postpartum depression.
The film makes the mother's isolation and hopelessness worse, shedding light on the dark history of Australia's stolen generations, where First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families through government assimilation policies. The filmmaker’s portrayal of this historical trauma as a backdrop to the supernatural horror is thought-provoking and haunting.
The Moogai thrives on creating a sense of discomfort that lingers throughout the film. The parents are plunged into a whirlwind of horrors, and the audience is right there with them, experiencing their torment. It's a psychological folklore horror thriller that opts for a slow-burn approach, steadily increasing the tension until it reaches a heart-pounding climax.
The story leads to a big payoff in the end with a climactic showdown. I thought the movie's conclusion was satisfying and I honestly didn’t think the film would go to that place.
The movie weaves a compelling narrative that not only terrifies but also provokes reflection on the deeper scars of history. For those who appreciate a slow burn horror movie with a rich folklore background, "The Moogai" is a must-see.