The Castle (2022)

Kim (Khushi Parekh), Alicia (Shezi Sibongiseni, Terry (Tevin Kunene) and Mark (Shivaan Moodley) enter an old castle where they’re soon attacked by masked figures. Then we meet Catherine (Rio Notra) and Michael (Arish Sirkissoon, who wrote and directed this), who have eloped and are on their way to their honeymoon. Well, Brad and Janet look out, because their car breaks down and they decide to walk to that very same castle and see if they can get some help.

As a wise Lone Star drinker once said, “We’ve seen it all before. But have we seen it all?”

This is a strange United Nations film in that it’s an African production attempting to make a British 60s gothic horror film, which I’m all for. Unfortunately, it often gets way too talky in the place of mood. It also sets up tension between Catherine and her mother — who disowns her by text message! — but then the cultists keep saying that she’s dead. Look, I’m all for being confused by gothic horror, but mostly I need a solid plot to start with.

That said — the film looks good and the location is great. It just needs a better story to work. But I’m still looking out for what Sirkissoon does next.

The Castle is now available on demand from Terror Films.