Experimental, intellectual and brutally honest, French filmmaker Marina de Van’s works have always been lauded for their straightforward flair and refusal to shy away from uncomfortable subject matter. The latest feature to come out of de Van’s searing imagination is “Dark Touch,” a supernatural thriller that unapologetically deals with child abuse.
The film tells the story of 11-year-old Neve, who becomes the sole survivor of an inexplicable, bloody massacre that killed her parents and younger brother. Although Neve firmly believes that the house and its furniture are the culprits, nobody is willing to believe her. To help ease her trauma, neighbors Nat and Lucas take Neve into their loving family. But Neve, who has a creeping suspicion that whatever murdered her family is still looming, cannot find peace.
The premise of the film might seem a little silly at first, but de Van’s script features several twists and turns that make it a very effective psychological thriller. De Van excels at building suspense and teasing the audience with hints about the true nature of the mysterious force. At the turn of every corner, viewers learn more about Neve and the events of that fateful night. Throughout the film, de Van subtly foreshadows the presence of something powerful and sinister but never addresses its source until the very end, when the characters’ choices result in horrific consequences.
“Dark Touch” is not for everybody. Adhering to de Van’s style, the film includes disturbing, graphic depictions of violence with horrific imagery that might offend some viewers. Add that to the film’s ominous and eerily beautiful soundtrack, and “Dark Touch” could prove to be a very uncomfortable viewing experience. Viewers are thrust into a reclusive town in Ireland where a heavy mist and a general sense of despair are present. The film constantly bombards the audience with brutal depictions of blood and gore.
However, de Van did not create this film for the shock factor alone. She wishes to address a subject the mainstream has always been hesitant to explore — child abuse. Through the gory scenes and the general sense of hopelessness her thriller invokes, de Van attempts to emulate an abused child’s perspective. Although some might question her methods and disapprove of using the supernatural to explore something as sensitive as child abuse, de Van’s method is definitely effective, albeit slightly troubling. The supernatural translates well to the abused child’s inability to grasp and control her situation.
The cast also plays an indispensable role in the film’s success. Marie Missy Keating impeccably conveys Neve’s character’s transformation from an introverted, frightened girl to a menacing figure of power. Since Neve is a quiet character, Keating has to rely largely on subtle body language, and she manages to embody her transformation completely.
While “Dark Touch” might not be one for the family, it will certainly raise many interesting questions at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Whether viewers enjoy the film or not, they will certainly come to the consensus that it is thought-provoking.
Bob Teoh is a staff writer. Email him at [email protected].
