Medieval Witchcraft and Betrayal Unfold in Prague

Anna Biller's latest film, "The Face of Horror," transports the classic Japanese ghost story "Yotsuya Kaidan" to 14th-century England. Primarily shot around Prague's historic castles and churches, the movie uses a vibrant color palette on 35mm film. The story centers on Eleanor and Beatrice, whose lives are shattered when knights Edward and Richard murder their father and husband to seize their estate. The sisters are warned their marriages are cursed but comply out of fear.

Eleanor endures a lonely marriage, while Beatrice demands vengeance from her husband. The knights, seeking escape from their lies, gain favor at a castle by saving a royal woman, Isabel, who becomes Edward's new love interest. Their plot to be together ensures the demise of their spouses. Eleanor grows increasingly ill and unaware of Edward's plans to abandon her, leading to escalating death and despair.

While "The Face of Horror" aims for a melodramatic throwback, it struggles to match the emotional weight of its inspirations. Biller's dialogue is criticized for being overly explicit in its feminist commentary, which feels dated and obvious, particularly concerning the Catholic Church's views on gender relations. The film's visual splendor and the actresses' performances, especially Froseth and Bamber, are highlights, but the male leads deliver sarcastic, artificial portrayals that undermine the narrative's emotional core.