by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Who doesn’t enjoy a constant building of dread in a movie? The new British offering, Cordelia, will certainly offer you that. What starts as a somber and sad drama slowly twists itself into a haunting and unnerving ball of tension that is hard to escape from. A simple story of a woman recovering from trauma turns into a thrilling mystery about a stalker and the steps one will take to escape from their alarming gaze. Part drama, part thriller, part horror, this new film is something to experience.
What does director Adrian Shergold do behind the camera to make this tightrope act work? First off, his direction offers up a masterclass in tension building. From the opening scene, there is a progressive ratcheting of tension that is hard to argue with. The vast difference between the sad, somber nature of the opening moments and the final moments that feature tension thicker than oatmeal is quite astounding. That is where Cordelia really soars… as an experience. We will get into the narrative and meaning of it all, but this film flies high as a tension-filled ride that is hard to match. Nothing feels out of place tonally as Shergold’s steady hand guides the film exactly where it needs to be. This a warning that this is a methodical and carefully stepped out 90 minutes, so some patience might be required.
Shergold teams with star Antonia Campbell-Hughes to write the film, but do they deliver a script worthy of the direction? In many aspects, they do. We have Cordelia, our lead, who has mysterious trauma in her past making her both intriguing and sympathetic. The narrative also plays with our expectations of Cordelia. Do we trust her after some of her choices? Do we fully grasp her headspace? This goes together with the central mystery of the film: is she really being stalked, or is she experiencing serious paranoia? Why not both? Throw in a charming, yet mysterious new man into her life, and things get interesting. This is a story of their paths twisting together, and where the narrative takes us is equally as twisted. But when the credits roll, this film might leave people wanting more, or something else from its ending. Some might feel less satisfied than they hope to be.
How does Campbell-Hughes bring her own character to life on screen? Cordelia is a complex character that navigates a troubled existence. Campbell-Hughes is vulnerable and sad towards the beginning of the film. She deserves great sympathy from her audience. As the film progresses, Campbell-Hughes morphs that sadness into paranoia as she begins to get suspicious phone calls and finds suspicious things on her new friend’s phone. The energy that Cordelia is embodied with is compelling, which certainly helps build the tension. But Campbell-Hughes’ range becomes clear in the final act where she turns things up with Frank, her new friend. Seductive and powerful, this is a surprising but alluring twist. But what really pulls the film together is Johnny Flynn’s turn as Frank. He is oozing with presence and charisma. It is easy to see how Cordelia falls for him. Flynn hides intentions so well, and keeps the audience guessing throughout the film.
Despite potentially fumbling the ending, does Cordelia offer up a compelling thriller? Tight and tension-filled direction and strong performances make this film rise above the pack. Tense music, sharp camerawork, and compelling layers to its mystery are just the cherries on top. This film offers up plenty in terms of themes dealing with trauma and abuse. If you are in for the ride, Cordelia will not disappoint.
Grade: 7/10
You can follow Shane Conto on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd