The Marshes is a 2018 Australian horror movie that centers around three biologists who embark on a research expedition to the remote and foreboding wetlands of the outback. The movie is directed by Roger Scott and stars Dafna Kronental, Sarah Armanious, and Mathew Cooper in the lead roles. The movie begins with Tom, Jenny, and Sam, the three biologists, setting out on a research expedition to the remote wetlands in the Australian outback. They hope to study the ecology of the wetlands and document the flora and fauna of the region. However, as they delve deeper into the swampy marshes, they begin to realize that they are not alone. They encounter strange, supernatural occurrences that make them question their sanity and their very existence.
The trio soon realizes that they are being stalked by a malevolent force that seems to be living in the swamp. As the days by, they become increasingly isolated and vulnerable, and their sanity begins to fray at the edges. The tension and horror continue to ramp up as strange events begin to unfold around them.
The Marshes is a deeply atmospheric movie that creates a sense of isolation and dread from the very beginning. The director Roger Scott has done an excellent job of creating a swampy nightmare that feels both exotic and otherworldly. The movie's cinematography and sound design are top-notch, and the visuals are haunting and impactful.
The movie's performances are also excellent, with all three leads delivering nuanced and powerful performances. Dafna Kronental is particularly impressive in her role as Jenny, a biologist who is fighting her own personal demons while trying to unravel the mystery of the wetlands. Sarah Armanious is also excellent as Tom, the group's leader, who tries to maintain her sanity while dealing with the escalating horrors around her.
The Marshes is a horror movie that relies more on tension and atmosphere than jump scares and gore. While the movie does have its fair share of horrific moments, they are carefully crafted to create maximum impact. The slow burn approach to horror works well here, as the audience is drawn into the story and the characters' plight.
One of the movie's strengths is its attention to detail when it comes to the setting and the world-building. The swamp is a character in itself, and the movie takes the time to explore and develop the ecosystem of the wetlands. The creatures that inhabit the swamp are also convincingly creepy and add to the sense of otherness and supernatural dread.
The Marshes is not a perfect movie, however. The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot can feel a bit predictable at points. The movie also relies heavily on some horror movie tropes, such as characters making bad decisions and not staying together, which can be frustrating for some viewers.
Despite these minor flaws, The Marshes is a well-crafted horror movie that is definitely worth a watch. The movie's strong performances, excellent cinematography, and atmospheric setting make it stand out from other horror movies in its genre. The Marshes is a slow burn horror movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
The Marshes is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.