The first feature-length film from co-writer/director Charlotte Colbert, She Will is a brilliant and beautiful, slow-burn psychological (and possible supernatural) horror narrative that is a treat for the eyes and soul. It may be a film of female vengeance by an aging actress against the film director who took advantage of her decades before as an underage star; it may be a tale of witches in the woods; it may be an exploration of how we process violence in all its forms.

Veronika Ghent (Alice Krige), recovering from a double mastectomy heads to a retreat in the Scottish highlands with her nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt) to heal body, soul, and emotions. The experience has awoken memories of trauma in Veronkia, including her star turn in a film at age 13 when she also had an affair with famous director Eric Hathbourne (Malcolm McDowell – it is fascinating that he is given top billing when he is only present in the film for about ten minutes, but in fairness his presence and performance are integral to the film).

When they first arrive they discover the retreat is not, as Veronika believed, just for them or just for women. They discover an entire community of odd and strange individuals there to heal. Their arrival, Veronika tells Desi, is “like the beginning of those horror movies. The young ingenue – you – has been brought somewhere remote to be sacrificed in a horrendous way to feed an ageing community that refuses to die.” She is, however, wrong.  Veronika discovers it is she who was sacrificed decades ago, and in the Scottish woods she might find both herself and rebirth.

“This place is beautiful,” Veronika remarks when they settle into the rural colony. “Dark, though,” add Desi, perhaps summarizing every aspect of this film: beautiful and dark.

Kudos go to cinematographer Jamie Ramsay, whose lighting and camera work is nothing short of inspired at all times. Dario Argento served as one of the executive producers, and She Will has elements of Italian horror in it, but the narrative is all Colbert’s, the performance of Krige ad Eberhardt anchoring the film in a rich emotional tapestry that fills and complement’s Ramsay’s sharp visuals and colors. This is a film that knows when to linger on an image to increase the audience’s dread, as well as when to simply hint that something is amiss. Nary a jump scare here, just a deliberate, graduate descent into Veronika’s trauma and what she does about it.

This is a film that rewards both patience and repeated viewing. A critique of the patriarchy that also offers both models of female empowerment and critiques of how some acquiesce too easily to the patriarchy.

She Will is not for all horror fans. But if one appreciates thoughtful, slow, philosophical, psychological horror with stunning visuals, you will find this film beautiful, and dark. I look forward to the next films of Colbert and Ramsey if this is their freshman effort.

9.5 out of 10