Review: The Farmhouse – A Bloody Avant-Garde Horror Film

Filmed on location in country Victoria, Luke Creely’s latest short film, The Farmhouse, is a bloody and confronting arthouse and avant-garde horror with a distinct European flavour. Inspired by the haunting visuals and sonic language of David Lynch, as well as Dario Argento’s Suspiria and his evocative use of colour, The Farmhouse is an immersive and horrific rumination about isolation, alienation, loneliness, and repressed trauma.

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The film features no dialogue. Instead, tone and atmosphere are built and sustained through a jarring marriage of image and sound and the nuanced (non-verbal) performance of lead actress Nicole Pastor who plays Kylie in the film.

Written and directed by the award-winning Brisbane-based Creely (They Can’t Hear You, Juncture) of LC Films, The Farmhouse is co-produced by Creely and Pastor (Freelance, Christmess, The Cost) of Moonflower Pictures. They bring together a string of creatives including Peter Szilveszter (Fear Below, The Legend of Ben Hall), John Hresc (A Savage Christmas, Streets of Colour) and performances by Jacob Saunders and Dominique Viney.

Originally from Melbourne, Luke is a horror director who has cultivated a distinctive style across a number of short films. Luke’s previous award-winning short film, They Can’t Hear You, screened at many festivals worldwide and premiered at Melbourne’s prestigious horror film festival, Monster Fest.

“The lighting, camera and sound envelop her and make her feel trapped in a nightmare. This is what trauma does. This is how trauma feels. And this is what I wanted to explore.” – Interview by Matthew Eeles.

Behind the Scenes of The Farmhouse

The Farmhouse is your first short film as writer and director since They Can’t Hear You in 2018, your longest break between films. How did it feel to be back in the director’s seat again?

It was great to be back in the director’s seat. Life has got in the way since 2018, but as a person I have grown a lot. This has translated into my practice and made me a much more proficient director. It was a short and busy shoot, but a good one. There is nothing like being on set. I had a great time. – Interview by Matthew Eeles

Like your previous short films before it, The Farmhouse explores themes of deep psychological trauma, especially when brought on by emotional relationship rifts. What is it that you enjoy the most about exploring these themes on screen?

Cinema is a window to the world and a blank canvas for filmmakers to self-express. This is particularly the case for horror which, as a genre, helps us grapple with and make sense of our fears and anxieties. As humans we all experience trauma and have complex psychologies. Trauma is a universal theme. Everyone understands it. And everyone can therefore get something out of my films. This is why I like exploring the deepest and darkest depths of the human psyche. And it is why I like doing it in the most violent, bloody and confronting ways possible. Screen violence is a metaphor. It is cathartic. And it is an outlet for me and an outlet for my audience. My films are always open-ended for this very reason – I want audiences to find their own meanings and interpret the film language in ways that make sense relative to their own experiences.

Lighting and Atmosphere in The Farmhouse

It’s immediately noticeable how much lighting plays a huge role in The Farmhouse to build, release and maintain atmosphere and tension throughout the film. The lighting is almost a character in itself here. Can you talk about this, and the challenges that came with it?

I’m glad you picked up on this. It was absolutely intentional. The red and blue was inspired by Argento’s Suspiria, a film I consider a masterpiece of evocative horror cinema. David Lynch inspired me too. As a director I aim to use all elements of film language to communicate meaning. This is why I didn’t have any dialogue in the film. I thought, “how can I tell a narrative without any exposition? How can I communicate ideas in pure visual and aural terms?” The lighting is a symbol of Kylie’s psyche. Her unravelling subconscious and gradual descent into madness. The lighting works in tandem with Scott’s cinematography and John’s sound design. As Kylie becomes increasingly paranoid, it is as though the camera, lighting and sound coalesce, conspire and react to keep her in that state. The camera pushes in and invades her space. The sound escalates and crescendos uncomfortably. And the colours become a more intense and saturated red and blue. Nick did a fantastic job as gaffer and lit the scene practically. So, the colour shifts happened in real time. This gave Nicole an actual stimulus to react to. It was surreal being on that set when the light was at its most intense because it felt like being in the middle of a hell. This was the point of the scene – the lighting, camera and sound envelop her and make her feel trapped in a nightmare. This is what trauma does. This is how trauma feels. And this is what I wanted to explore.

CGI and Future Projects

Is this the most you’ve worked with CGI? And how does the final result compare to what you had originally envisioned?

The CGI aspects were actually minimal. But it was the most I’ve used. I won’t say too much as it will give away a key character who appears at the end of the film. But a lot of credit goes to Peter Szilveszter, who did colour work and all post-production effects. What I will say is that the CGI elements are integral to the film’s conclusion and another metaphor of the nightmare that Kylie is experiencing. The final result is in the ballpark of what I wrote and envisaged – but a lot of credit goes to Peter for helping me find the right amount of CGI to communicate what we needed to and in the right way. He put his own spin on it which works perfectly.

Nicole Pastor plays the lead, Kylie, in The Farmhouse. Nicole is also credited as a producer on the film under her Moonflower Pictures banner. What was it like to work with Nicole as both an actor and producer here?

Nicole was an asset to the film. She did a phenomenal amount of groundwork helping me set the film up with cast, crew and funding. I am indebted to her for that. And her performance was very good. Understated but powerful. She went into the deepest recesses of her soul for this performance. And it shows on screen.

Future Endeavors

With six short films under your belt now, are you ready to jump into a feature film, and do you have any ideas for what you’d like to explore in a long form format?

Yes, I am ready to jump into a feature. I am currently in the process of doing so. I have several screenplays already written, and am currently writing another. I’ll keep the ideas close to my chest. But audiences can expect more psychological horror which will confront them and make them think. I’m wanting to go big and bloody for my feature. Make a splash and a real statement. The Terrifier franchise is inspiring me. So, the feature is going to be full on. Not for the faint-hearted. But it will be fun.

Conclusion

The Farmhouse, with its intricate use of lighting, sound, and visuals, delivers a haunting and immersive horror experience that delves into the depths of the human psyche. Director Luke Creely’s distinct style and the powerful performance by Nicole Pastor make this short film a compelling exploration of trauma and madness.

FAQs

1. What inspired Luke Creely’s film The Farmhouse?

Luke Creely drew inspiration from directors like David Lynch and Dario Argento, creating a film that explores themes of isolation, alienation, and repressed trauma.

2. Why did The Farmhouse feature no dialogue?

The absence of dialogue in the film aimed to convey narrative and emotion through visuals, sound, and the lead actress’s non-verbal performance.

3. How did lighting play a significant role in The Farmhouse?

The lighting in The Farmhouse symbolized the protagonist’s psyche, unraveling subconscious, and descent into madness, creating a visual representation of trauma and paranoia.

4. What role did CGI play in The Farmhouse?

While minimal, CGI elements in the film were integral to the narrative’s conclusion, adding another layer of metaphor to the nightmare experienced by the lead character.

5. Who was the lead actress and producer of The Farmhouse?

Nicole Pastor played the lead role of Kylie in the film and also served as a producer under her Moonflower Pictures banner, contributing significantly to the project.

6. Is Luke Creely planning to venture into feature films?

Yes, Luke Creely is preparing to transition into feature films, with a focus on psychological horror that aims to challenge and engage audiences on a larger scale.

7. What makes The Farmhouse a unique horror film?

The Farmhouse stands out for its immersive atmosphere, thought-provoking themes, and the director’s innovative approach to storytelling through visual and auditory elements.

8. How did the collaboration between Luke Creely and Nicole Pastor enhance the film?

Nicole Pastor’s dual role as an actor and producer brought depth and dedication to the project, contributing to the film’s authenticity and impactful performance.

9. What can audiences expect from Luke Creely’s future feature film?

Luke Creely’s upcoming feature film promises to deliver intense psychological horror, inspired by iconic franchises like Terrifier, aiming to make a bold statement in the genre.

10. When can viewers expect to see The Farmhouse in festivals?

The Farmhouse has been submitted to festivals and is anticipated to screen in 2025, offering audiences a chance to experience its unique blend of horror and psychological exploration.

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