The Believer (2021)

The Believer Poster

Lucas suspects his wife is losing her mind when she claims demons are waging a war in their urban home. Eerie evidence is mounting that she may not actually be crazy after all, but what she's about to tell him next is that he must do the unthinkable.

Overview
"The Believer" is a 2021 mental thriller directed by Shan Serafin which showcases the mental strain of loss on a marital relationship. This suspenseful story centers around a distressed couple, Lucas and Violet, played by Aidan Bristow and Sophie Kargman, who find themselves questioning their peace of mind after the death of their newborn. The movie explores the phenomena of fear, hallucinations, and conspiracy theories to press its narrative and keeps audiences gripped.

The Plot
The film opens with Lucas and Violet attempting to deal with the loss of their newborn daughter. Despite the fact that their baby's death was ruled a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) case, both moms and dads are wrecked by guilt. Lucas holds Violet responsible for their child's death and feels caught in his own home.

As the story progresses, Lucas starts hearing unusual noises around the house and believes something supernatural is happening. He finds an old, dirty book in his basement filled with conspiracy theories that consist of speculations about sinister spirits victimizing individuals in their house, particularly newborns. This prompts Lucas to think that their newborn was taken by a legendary entity instead of passing away from SIDS.

The Characters
The film explores the characteristics of their collapsing relationship while taking in into each character's mind. Aidan Bristow provides an engaging performance as Lucas, a male wrestling with sorrow, regret, and the terror he generates in his own mind. Sophie Kargman gives an excellent efficiency as Violet, representing a mom who is also fighting with the loss of her kid and fighting her husband's increasing fear.

The Setting
The haunted-house idea is a tried-and-true setting for horror movies, developing an eerie environment that often offers the usual unexpected jump scares. Nevertheless, in "The Believer", your home becomes the opponent as it feeds Lucas' stress and anxieties and belief in supernatural powers. It's not just a physical environment however an extension of Lucas's frame of mind.

Themes
"The Believer" weaves multiple themes into its plot. It takes on the intricate issues of guilt and sorrow, mental breakdowns, conspiracy theory, and the supernatural. It also checks out the destructive results of blame and unsolved grief on a relationship. Lucas' conviction in the possibility of a supernatural entity being accountable for his baby's death highlights the impact of unprocessed trauma and could be translated as his way of bargaining in grief, in order to lay blame in other places and relinquish guilt.

Conclusion
"The Believer" is an unsettling and tense psychological thriller that delves into the harrowing results of a personal disaster on a couple's frame of mind. Both the psychological and supernatural elements of the plot develop a continually unstable situation, keeping viewers hooked. The film ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the audience to decide which viewpoint to believe about the occurrences in your home. Existed an external sinister force at play or were the happenings an outcome of a grief-stricken, guilt-ridden mind? "The Believer" leaves that for the audiences to contemplate.

Top Cast

  • Sophie Kargman (small)
    Sophie Kargman
    Violet
  • Billy Zane (small)
    Billy Zane
    Dr. Benedict
  • Aidan Bristow (small)
    Aidan Bristow
    Lucas
  • Susan Wilder (small)
    Susan Wilder
    Charlotte
  • Lindsey Ginter (small)
    Lindsey Ginter
    Gus
  • Robbie Goldstein