The King Tide (2023)

September 2, 2024 7:39 AM

[TRAILER] In a small island fishing village, isolated from the mainland, a child turns up who has special, mystical powers, leading social order in the town to the brink of civil war as the residents disagree about whether the child was sent for a larger spiritual purpose.

Also starring Clayne Crawford, Frances Fisher, Alix West Lefler, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Aden Young, Michael Greyeyes, Ryan McDonald, Kathryn Greenwood, Emily Piggford.

Directed by Christian Sparkes. Written by Albert Shin, William Woods. based on a story by Kevin Coughlin, Ryan Grassby. Produced by Allison White, William Woods. Cinematography by Mike McLaughlin. Edited by Justin Oakey. Music by Michael Brook.

95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently available for digital rental in the US. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (3 comments total)

Heads up: this is not a horror movie. It's a drama, with a bit of allegorical/fantastic elements.

From the description, it seems like it could go either way. And I know I post a fair bit of horror (70% of what I post isn't horror, but that still leaves a lot that is.) But this isn't that. Also, the trailer feels like it might spoil the whole movie, but it reveals the first ten minutes, tops.

The filmmaking is very solid, though not at all flashy. The story is interesting and less rote than I was expecting. It feels like a better-than-average literary adaptation, though I checked three times and it really is an original screenplay.

It's sort of an allegory about exploitation and the "public good" as it manifests as a personal drain. This was a solid B for me and I am glad I stumbled across it.

Excellent ending that elevates the entire enterprise.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:44 AM on September 2

Sounds intriguing! The setup reminds me of the short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "The Very Old Man with Enormous Wing"
posted by Saxon Kane at 11:00 AM on September 2

Probably worth mentioning that this is a Canadian film shot in Newfoundland.
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:17 AM on September 3 [2 favorites]