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| Images Courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures |
Julia
Kowalski's sophomore feature film explores small town hatred via a harrowing
folk horror tale. Her Will Be Done is one of the grimmest
cinematic experiences of the year thus far, asking whether the supernatural or
men themselves are the real terror in the night. Featuring a gripping
pair of central performances, disquieting visuals, and an unrelenting ambiance
of dread, this is a must see for horror fans.
Nawojka is the Polish daughter of a farmer whose family resides in a rural French town. When she becomes friends with a free-spirited woman, strange and terrifying things begin to happen across the bleak countryside. Kowalski co-wrote the script with her cinematographer, Simon Beaufils (who also lensed Anatomy of a Fall). Naw's world is one of demons both real and imagined (perhaps) and this is echoed in the discourse between her and her family. Her father views her with suspicion that she might have inherited her mother's wickedness while her brothers bully her. Maria Wrobel's performance as Nawojka is eerily sublime, threading the needle between a young woman coming of age and a possible disciple of “evil”. This is without question the film's strongest aspect, as mystery and uncertainty enhance the vibes.
Wrobel is supported by Roxane Mesquida as the rebellious Sandra. Their chemistry is organic, demonstrating how Sandra is what Naw has been striving to become, and yet, neither is able to truly escape the confines of the patriarchal society that envelopes them. This is demonstrated during a horrific sequence in the final act that reveals not only an inherent darkness that resides within their lonely village, but also serves as a heartbreaking revelation of the truth: Things rarely change for the powerless.
Beaufils' dreary cinematography has a lived-in quality that is perfect for this story. Everything is soiled and grimy to the point that the viewer can almost smell the town, including its mysteriously sick livestock. Another outstanding component is Benedicte Trouve's makeup design, especially during the finale. Kowalski's vision is to confound and confront, and while some may be disappointed with the resolution, her refusal to go all in; one way or another, is perhaps this offering's greatest strength.
Opening theatrically today in New York City and coming to Video On Demand October 2nd, Her Will Be Done is a difficult, but rewarding foray into a LGTBQ+ thriller that uses its slow burn formula to submerge the viewer into a world that is both alien and very familiar. Taking a micro level approach, Kowalski and her cast and crew focus on how the marginalized deal with very real demons every single day.
--Kyle Jonathan