If you’re looking for a spooky and eerie story layered with mystery and suspense, The Power may be right up your alley. Written and directed by BAFTA-nominated director Corinna Faith, and featuring an original score by Gazelle Twin and Max de Wardener, the film stars Rose Williams (“Sanditon,” “Reign,” “Medici”), Charlie Carrick (Abandoned: Angelique’s Isle, “Reign”), Gbemisola Ikumelo (“Roadkill,” The Last Tree), Theo Barklem-Biggs (“The First Team,” The Forgotten Battle), Emma Rigby (“Prisoners Wives,” Endless Love), and Shakira Rahman.
Synopsis for The Power
London, 1974. In The Power, as Britain prepares for electrical blackouts to sweep across the country, trainee nurse Val arrives for her first day at the crumbling East London Royal Infirmary. With most of the patients and staff evacuated to another hospital, Val must work the night shift in the empty building. Within these walls lies a deadly secret, forcing Val to face her own traumatic past in order to confront the malevolent power that’s intent on destroying everything around her.
We’ve all had bad first days, but trainee nurse Val wins for the worst first day on the job ever. Not only is everyone rather cold and distant towards her, but she’s forced to work a night shift despite not knowing her way around. It would be natural for your mind to start to wander in a big, old, empty, and unfamiliar hospital, but is what Val is seeing real, or is it all in her head? To be honest, at first, I really wasn’t sure. She’s new and seems a little off. Plus, why would weird things all of a sudden start occurring when she shows up? Well, we soon find out.’
As previously mentioned, The Power is layered with mystery and suspense and I loved not knowing what was going to happen next. It’s not your average, spooky ghost story yet stands strong against the classics. The general theme throughout the film is why is this all happening and should we really be afraid of ghosts or the monsters who created them? Rose Williams delivers a heartbreaking and riveting performance throughout the film. Her character is very complex and it’s hard to determine if she’s completely wholesome or off her rocker. Her performance as a whole made this film shine bright and give life to a dark and grim story.
The special effects were fantastic but not over the top and not very bloody. The cinematography, imagery, lighting, and soundtrack all worked together beautifully to create a visually pleasing yet haunting atmosphere that will send chills down your spine. It almost makes you want to visit, but then you’re like, “Nah, I’m good.” The bonus features for The Power include commentary from Corrina Faith, Laura Bellingham, and Rose Williams as well as behind-the-scenes photos. I particularly loved the behind scene look at how everything was created.
As far as ghost stories go, this one ranks pretty high and is the perfect addition to your Halloween watch lists. The Power is now available on VOD, Digital HD, and DVD for an SRP of $27.97. Be sure to check it out!