Movie Review: Hen
One-liner: A dark, elegant, grisly and unsettling psychological horror with powerful themes and sharp performances.
Hen is a stark and unsettling debut film from director Nico Scheepers, a black-and-white psychological horror set against the backdrop of an isolated farmhouse in the wilderness. The story centers on a childless couple who live on a remote farm. During a scouting mission for stashed reserves, the would-be father discovers a grisly murder scene and takes in the sole survivor, a young boy.
As they adopt the child, the family begins to experience strange and terrifying events, which force them to question their faith, ethics and sanity. This arthouse psychological horror is a masterclass in slow-burning dread. Nico Scheepers has crafted a hauntingly effective film that feels like a blend of The Lighthouse, The Witch and The White Ribbon.
The influence of filmmaker Robert Eggers is evident throughout Hen. Like The Lighthouse, the film’s black-and-white cinematography and isolated setting create a surreal and claustrophobic atmosphere. The connection to The Witch comes through in the unsettling events tied to the secluded setting and livestock. Meanwhile, the film’s black-and-white palette and angst-riddled social drama recall the period-piece feel of films like The White Ribbon and There Will Be Blood. Hen fits perfectly into the category of “elevated horror,” showcasing a well-poised and eerie tension.
The casting is crucial to the film’s success and the central trio deliver grounded and authentic performances. Dawian van der Westhuizen as the young boy has an otherworldly quality that is vital to the story much like in Hereditary. Stian Bam carries a powerful and weathered heaviness, while Amalia Uys delivers excellent work opposite him, capturing the earnest, hand-wringing nature of their characters.
“Ons vuur brand teen die donker.”
Hen operates with remarkable restraint, relying on its strong visuals and superb sound design to build tension. The film is beautifully shot, with natural lighting and strong contrasts that make every frame impactful. The sound design is a particular highlight, elevating ordinary yet disturbing moments into something much more menacing and significant. The creeping dread is one of the film’s greatest strengths, keeping you on edge as you anticipate the next horror.
While the opening scene is iconic, the leads’ suspicions and lack of dialogue could have used more thought to anchor it in reality. Beyond this outback rescue, there’s little callback to the child’s origins, perceived involvement or attempt to reunite him with his family. The film’s refusal to tie up all loose ends, while contributing to the sense of fear, might leave some viewers wanting more explanation around the character psychology or motivations.
In spite of its missteps, Hen is a remarkable horror film that immerses audiences in its bleak, cold and cruel world where there’s never enough. From the discovery of the boy to the unsettling conclusion, the slow-creeping sense of dread pervades every scene, operating with enough restraint to allow the horror to seep through without overselling the characters, dialogue or themes. While it may not be as grand as the Overlook Hotel, Hen bristles with a similar psychological intensity as The Shining as a small family unit of three discover they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.
Filled with dark and heavy moments involving animals and children, Hen is a film that may disturb sensitive viewers, and its age restriction is well-warranted. With its oppressive atmosphere, compelling narrative and masterful filmmaking, Hen is a cut above. It’s a powerful film that holds its own on an international level and more than earns its place alongside the work of contemporary horror filmmakers like Robert Eggers.
Having reviewed hundreds of South African films, landing a spot in my Top 5 of contemporary South African films is no small feat. A feature film for Nico Scheepers, who like Ari Aster, has studied the masters of horror, Hen is easily one of, if not, South Africa’s best horror film yet. Hopefully this expedition into elevated horror will result in many more for Scheepers as he continues to fine tune his voice as a filmmaker.
The bottom line: Powerful
