Released in 2024

Mother Nocturna (Madre Notturna - Italian)

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Agnese is a wolf biologist who gets back to her husband and daughter after a long hospitalization in a mental institution. The moon has an occult power over Agnese, whose mind begins to disrupt and her body transforms, while the visions of the “God of the woods” intrude on reality.

 

She will deal with the ghosts from the past, locked in a house surrounded by woods, where nightmares take over, and obscure presences become ever more disturbing.

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Mother Nocturna, a dark offering from Italian writer, director Daniele Campea.

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Agnese, portrayed with a very powerful performance by the excellent Costaglione, has definitely had her struggles, which are further disclosed as her story develops, alongside husband Riccardo, played by Edoardo Oliva, and predominately alongside her daughter Arianna, also epically performed by Sofia Ponente. 

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Mother Nocturna leans heavily on dialogue rather than action or jump scares, delving deep into the complexities of the family dynamics, history, the challenges faced, during a global crisis and located in a remote house in the woods. This is not a film to watch passively, it demands full engagement, and the slow pace and darkness may test your commitment.

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Whilst dark, some of the visuals presented are stunning with very artistic and beautiful colours, accompanied by a wonderful score, set in a not so pleasant period, that being a global pandemic.​​ These colours and views are a wonder on the eyes, but this is no David Attenborough "Beautiful World" presentation.

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The aesthetic appeal is undeniable, the film's tone can and is too often overwhelmingly dark. The compelling, intriguing, powerful story and strong performances draw you in, but there are moments when the pace and dark visuals lose the viewer's attention, leading to moments of confusion, questions like "What’s happening?" or "What emotion is being conveyed?" can disrupt the experience.

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​Ultimately, Mother Nocturna is more of an atmospheric drama than an outright horror, offering an emotional exploration of a gradual descent into madness. It’s not for everyone, but if approached with the right mindset and personal investment, it can be a rewarding experience,

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