10 Best Irish Horror Movies You Need To Watch
2. The Hole In The Ground (2019)
Menacing forests and creepy children are common tropes within the world of horror. In The Hole In The Ground, however, director and co-writer Lee Cronin combines both elements to create a haunting portrait of motherhood and trauma.
When young mother Sarah (Seána Kerslake) relocates to the countryside with her son (James Quinn Markey) to make a new life for themselves away from her abusive partner. Shortly after their arrival, Sarah begins to suspect that her son has been replaced by a double when his behaviour starts to change.
On the surface, this indie chiller plays out like a typical spooky affair. The isolated country home makes for a familiarly creepy setting while the unnerving sound design ramps the tension to a frightening level. Without relying on cheap scares, the terror is contained entirely within the atmosphere as the plot works its way to an exciting climax which draws upon Irish folklore.
But it’s the central relationship between the mother and son which makes this film noteworthy. Outside of the phenomenal performances from the Kerslake and Markey - who effortlessly changes from sweet to terrifying, Cronin’s script works as a melancholic metaphor for parenthood, trauma, and change.