B
The opening of Mirhosseni’s dystopian horror drama features an explanation on screen, outlining the events of the US in 2045. It became the North American Federation, a fascist state controlled by roving militia in the name of God and country. There may have been some discussion among the filmmakers about how far into the future to set the story, but the portrayal of the US in History of Evil does not feel like it is two decades away. In the first scene, a child is being transported through a checkpoint in a van with a tracking device on her ankle, which is inspected by armed men. While horrifying, this scenario is not far-fetched given the current state of dystopian fiction in 2024. After all, just five years ago, the US was detaining migrant children in freezing, overcrowded cages with no proper sleeping arrangements.
Daria (played by Murphee Bloom) is the focus of this story. She is the daughter of Alegre (played by Jackie Cruz), a rebellious writer who is running away with her husband Ron (played by Paul Wesley), who can easily pass as a traditional and religious man. The family finds refuge in a charming colonial-style house with a white exterior and a raised porch, but little do they know, the house has a sinister history and is determined to harm Ron. It seems that the true threat to the family may come from within.
The idea of combining elements of the Hunger Games and Stephen King’s storytelling is fascinating. As Ron has deep conversations with an enigmatic elderly man while sipping whiskey, he is reminded to not let his wife diminish his masculinity. This conjures up memories of The Shining and builds anticipation for an epic confrontation. However, the post-apocalyptic action and supernatural horror never fully blend together in the film; it moves slowly instead of picking up pace and doesn’t fully embrace either genre.
Source: theguardian.com
