Film review: ‘YOU WON’T BE ALONE’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’
Macedonian-Australian writer/ director Goran Stolevski’s creepy, impressionistic and at times very unsettling, You Won’t Be Alone, mixes a grittily realistic depiction of early 19th Century European provincial life with supernatural horror. The film plays a little like a sinister fairy-tale with elements of Robert Eggers’ The Witch, the ‘wild girl from the forest’ sub-genre, Candide/Bad Boy Bubby-like tales of an innocent discovering the world, as well as feminist ideas and a touch of Freddy Kruger. Yes, it’s a pretty weird mix of elements but a surprisingly coherent one.
Set in Macedonia, the film sees newborn Nevena marked for ownership by the malevolent shape-shifting witch, Old Maid Maria (Anamaria Marinca). As ordained, at age 16, Nevena (played by Sara Klimoska among others, including Noomi Rapace), despite being hidden from the world in a cave her whole life, is taken by Maria seemingly to become her witch apprentice. This largely involves them prowling the forest, killing critters and eating their gizzards. Tiring of Maria’s verbally and physically abusive behaviour, though, Nevena – who, like Maria, can also transform into other people and animals – sets out on her own hoping to learn about normal human ways and become part of the local village. As she attempts to forge a stable life, though, the evil implanted by the witch constantly threatens to destroy her plans.
Much of the screen time features Nevena in her various incarnations trying to live and function in a regular community. It’s intriguing to see different actors, who include not only other women but also a man and a little girl, replicate the character and mannerisms Klimosa establishes early in the film. As the badly disfigured witch Maria, Anamaria Marinca is a complex but menacing figure. Capable of sudden murderous violence but also fleeting moments of humanity, Marinca delivers an indelible performance.
Through its depiction of these two women and the villagers, the film has a clear feminist message. The men in the village are mostly depicted as contemptuous, violent and oppressive toward women while the female community is frequently celebrated. The film appears, however, to condemn Maria’s more extreme isolationist approach toward men and through Nevena might be interpreted as endorsing a more open and diverse third wave feminism.
Even those not looking for sociological themes in a movie should still be fascinated by Stolevski’s filmmaking style. With its fragmented editing, handheld cameras tracking characters through the forest and scenes of people communing with nature, this film often recalls the style of Terrence Malick. Like Malick’s films this one also makes fine use of an evocative music score. Also, like that director’s films, this one will divide audiences. Some will embrace its confronting elemental style, its feminist subtext and even its frequent gore. Others may find it obtuse and pretentious. Few, though, will quickly forget You Won’t Be Alone.
Nick’s rating: ***1/2
Genre: Horror/ drama/ historical.
Classification: MA15+.
Director(s): Goran Stolevski.
Release date: 22nd Sept 2022.
Running time: 109 mins.
Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.