1922 (2017)

Film Overview
"1922" is a 2017 Netflix initial horror-thriller film based on Stephen King's novella of the very same name. Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, the narrative is set in Nebraska and follows the life of a farmer, Wilfred James (played by Thomas Jane), against the moody background of the Great Recession. The movie tells a haunting tale of regret, obsession, and the consequences of abhorrent crimes, shrouded in a chilling combination of murder, betrayal, guilt, and supernatural phenomena.

Plot Summary
The story unfolds with Wilfred, the lead character, confessing to the murder of his partner, Arlette (played by Molly Parker) in 1922. The tension brews when Arlette inherits 100 acres of land, which she intends to offer, leaving Wilfred stressed over his farming income. Her decision to move to Omaha with their teenage boy, Henry (played Dylan Schmid), fuels the dispute further.

Driven by greed and worry of losing his kid, Wilfred manipulates Henry into becoming an accomplice in a dark plot to murder Arlette. Under the pretense of reconciliation, they carry out the plot, killing Arlette and throwing her body into a well. The duo later on manages to convince the authorities that Arlette eloped, leaving them behind.

Twist of Supernatural Events
As they continue with their lives, guilt and paranoia start to take in Wilfred and Henry, turning their lives into a horrible experience. The supernatural creepiness begins as Wilfred starts to see Arlette's ghost, whereas Henry, experiencing serious guilt, runs away with his pregnant sweetheart only to become an outlaw.

Meanwhile, Wilfred's life spirals down to torment, haunted by his wife's ghost and invaded by a pack of rats that emerge inexplicably from the well where they dumped Arlette's refuse. He loses his fingers due to a rat bite, additional activating his mental breakdown.

Ending & Consequences
Completion comes as a conclusion of their guilty consciences and remorse. Henry, not able to bear the burden of guilt, kills himself and his girlfriend, leaving a letter admitting their participation in Arlette's murder. Wilfred, on the other hand, end up losing his farm, track record, fingers, and even sanity.

After seeing Henry's ghost pointing towards the well, Wilfred, PTSD-ridden and desperate, reviews the death scene, reaching a destructive awareness about Arlette's awful death. He eventually ends up in a hotel room, considering suicide, fearing that the ghosts of his past are coming to gather.

Style & Conclusion
Hilditch's "1922" is a grim expedition of the human psyche, illustrating the devastating effects of regret and greed. It's a dismal, yet compelling adaptation of Stephen King's novella, riddled with spectral phantoms, haunting dream series, and gloomy rural landscapes. The fascinating performances, significantly Thomas Jane's representation of the sorry Wilfred, more enhance the visceral eeriness of the story. While the story is macabre, it resonates deeply with the audiences, advising them of the ageless saying, "criminal activity never ever pays."

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