I was reminded of the quiet, rural drama of Dark River (2017) while watching this intense and satisfying dive into fundamentalism. It has some predictable beats but introspective camera work and a strong performance from Alice Englert help it transcend cliches.

Mara (Englert) lives in a small US mountain community with her pastor father Lemuel (Walton Goggins). She is devoted to his charismatic church, that uses the handling of venomous snakes to signify demons and the presence of God.

Like many fundamentalist churches, much credence is given to the parts of the Bible that assert the dominance of men over women and Mara must do as she’s told. This includes marrying good boy Garrett (Lewis Pullman), although her heart is taken by nonbeliever August (Thomas Mann). August’s beliefs, or rather lack of them, are much to the despair of his mother Hope (Olivia Colman).

There’s not much grey in the minds of pastor Lemuel and Hope and they convince Dilly (Kaitlyn Dever), who has been abandoned by her mother, to cast her aside. The devotion to snake handling continues, despite deaths and intervention from the outside world. It’s as they say – when you are entrenched in your beliefs, evidence that proves the contrary just makes you believe it more. When one of the congregation is bitten, they are left to struggle with proof of their faith.

We know where the narrative is going, this is about a woman finding her own resolve and a coming of age, but it is an intense and harrowing journey. 

Image via miff.com.au