DARLING

Starring: Lauren Ashley Carter, Brian Morvant, Sean Young

Writer: Mickey Keating

Director: Mickey Keating

Darling (Carter) takes a house-sitting job in a building with a somewhat grim history, the tragic events of the past related to her by the property's owner (Sean Young in wonderful, amusingly icy form). You see, she shouldn't mention what went on but...

It isn't very long before the young woman's left on her own to take care of the place and it isn't very long after that when things take an eerie turn. Just who or what is making those noises that can be heard all over? Was there something lurking in the shadows? What's behind that permanently locked door? And what about that guy (Morvant) she met? Did they stumble across each other purely by chance or was it a calculated play on his part?

Mickey Keating's black and white chiller skilfully mixes atmospheric, suspenseful, disquieting horror with an arthouse eye for a beautifully composed scene. Every frame of Darling looks achingly gorgeous which often contrasts intriguingly with the grisly on-screen action. Yes, the plot may be on the slight side - girl moves into building, strange things happen - but there's enough substance here for the proceedings not to be swamped by the dazzling style.

Even if the stunning visual craft of the piece isn't the kind of thing that would normally win you over on its own the other reason you really should see this is the absolutely astonishing performance given by Lauren Ashley Carter in the title role. Many of her scenes are wordless and involve no one else but who needs dialogue and supporting players when you have an acting talent this mesmerising to watch. She draws you into Darling's world with artistry, her memorably and impressively haunted visage staying with me long after the end credits rolled. If you've ever seen Brief Encounter I'd like to say that Lauren Ashley Carter is arty horror's Celia Johnson, only far more haunted.

Of course, this is far from just 78 minutes of haunted looks but to say too much more about Darling the film and Darling the woman would be too much of a spoiler other to mention that Lauren Ashley Carter convinces throughout as a character who can be shy, sweet, suspicious, scared or scary (and many other things beginning with 's'). Hers is a bravura display which deserves to be seen as widely as possible, as does this strange, unnerving and sublime movie. This is horror that works hard to create deep-seated unease in the viewer rather than rushing to pile up bodies and is all the better for it. In fact it's fabulous, darling.