The low-key, atmospheric drama “God’s Creatures” begins underwater. You can see bursting bubbles and hear muffled yelling. Then, when the image switches to the sea surface, a gentle wavelet obscures the turbulence below.
The same can be said for the Irish island fishing village where the film is set. The story begins with a drowning, but the area’s narrow-minded inhabitants drink in the town’s bars, harvest oysters for sale, and listen to the angelic chirping of Sarah (Aisling Franciosi), a local diva. I am enjoying myself and keeping myself in good spirits. But the spiteful score and shots of slow, forbidden scenery suggest that evil lurks nearby.
The film centers around Eileen (Emily Watson), a loving mother and factory worker. She struggles on the assembly line with Sarah. Her prodigal son, Brian (Paul Mezcal), suddenly returns home after years of living abroad. Irene is delighted to have her golden child back, but a devastating crime leaves her unsure if she really knows him.
Directors Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer (“The Fits”) are seasoned technicians. As news of the crime spreads across town, a rift develops between Irene and Sarah, and the filmmakers bring us to its center with a series of ominous sounds and images. The ticking sound of a bucket falling — throbbing with pain and menace.
“God’s Creatures” is ultimately a movie about the clash of maternal loyalty and moral conscience, and Watson brilliantly shows how these instincts collide with each other to a horrific end. I’m telling you. Even in simple storylines that sometimes call for psychological clarity, the power she wields is undeniable.
creature of god
Designated R. Has the mouth of a sailor. Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes.Available for rent or purchase at the theater apple tv, google play and other streaming platforms and pay-TV operators.