In the Earth — A Review

*Spoilers*

18th January, 2023: In The Earth.

Yes: it’s Wednesday.

And, as I speak … ?

Potatoes are boiling: as are assorted vegetables.

And chicken is being grilled.

Inevitably?

I’m planning to watch a film: In The Earth, Flux Gourmet, Everything Everywhere All At Once or Doctor Who Am I.

I won’t know … until I’ve finished dinner and watching something … 

You’ll get to find out: when I post my writing and video reviews, tomorrow night.

~≈🍿≈~

18th January, 2023: 22:00.

Is has to be said: I finally made my mind up.

And feel I’m going to watch Flux Gourmet, Everything Everywhere All At Once and Doctor Who Am I another time.

Given I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen of the man’s work?

I’ve finally settled for — and just finished watching — Ben Wheatley’s In The Earth.

I think I’ve seen something unique.

But, frankly?

Will tell you more, tomorrow

~≈🍿≈~

19th January, 2023.

In The Earth opens with a long shot: closing in on a standing stone, and zooming through the hole near the   monolith’s top.

It then shifts.   To show us a flint rock being broken up into fragments by an unknown hand: and small chips from that stone, buried as a trap for unwary travellers.

The scene shifts again.

To show us researcher, Dr Martin Lowery (Joel Fry) approaching a government controlled lodge in the wilder areas outside Bristol.

A Bristol ravaged, like the rest of the country, by a mysterious unnamed plague: one that makes the staff at the lodge both wary, and keen to disinfect Martin before he enters the building, or the woods it guards.

The reason Martin is happy to put up with this?

Is simply that it’s his job.   He’s been assigned to work with Dr Olivia Wendle (Hayley Squires): who’s embedded in the depths of the wood, researching the incredibly fertile soil in the area.

The only problem?

With no mobile phone signal, and no transport, the only way for Martin and his guide, Alma (Ellora Torchia*), to get to where they’re going … is by a two day walk through the woods.

Two days through a wild wood that’s full, not of lions and tigers and bears … but of missing people, speakers … and bits of flint you wouldn’t want to step on, barefoot.

Things could get nasty: if you’re bare foot …

~≈🦶≈~

Now … 

What did I make of In the Earth?

Was it good, bad or indifferent?

Did I notice anything?

Did I understand it: or the ending … ?

Or the the premise, come to that?

First things first, if you’re reading this written version, I’ve put a spoiler warning in, at the start.

Because?   I want you to watch this film: and possibly ask you something. 

At any rate?

I think the basic premise simple enough.

If I recall the very basic biology I’ve learnt: and other bits and bobs I’ve read about in the news?

The mycorrhiza that Dr Wendle is investigating are real-world symbiotic life-forms made up of fungi and plants: in this case, the trees in wood, plus a black fungus.   Ones that are connected by an underground network of fibres.

The fungi can communicate with trees, and other parts or itself.   Even if it’s only at a simple “food, here,” “no water, there,” level.

The film also talks about a local spirit called Parnag Fegg: and a long since gone necromancer worshipped by Zach (Reece Shearsmith), Dr Wendle’s former husband.

If I’ve understood things correctly?

Dr Wendle believes the mycorrhiza is intelligent, and capable of being communicated with: whilst Zach believes whatever is out in the woods — dead sorcerer or woodland spirit — only wants to be worshipped.

And both believe that whatever it is … is focused on the Standing Stone we see at the start of the film.

In the Earth’s ending?

Did I mention I saw Jordan Peele’s Nope, a couple of weeks ago?

I saw Jordan Peele’s Nope, a couple of weeks ago.

Because of his use of intertitles in the film, I walked away from Nope convinced Peele was a fan of Stanley Kubrick: something his Wikipedia entry confirmed.

Seeing In The Earth?

Has me wondering the same thing about Wheatley: although it’s his Wikipedia has nothing to say on the subject.

I bring that up, because watching the psychedelic ending of In the Earth had me thinking of the ending of 2001: or, at least, its famous Star Gate sequence.

It’s not just the ending: there’s a couple of scenes that have similar psychedelic scenes, including one where Alma tries to leave the area by walking through the mist of spores the fungus puts out … only to be left floored and needing rescue.

While we’re talking about Alma?   And the film’s ending?

Alma’s last line, the last line of the film?   We see her from Martin’s point of view, saying “Let me guide you out of the woods.”

We hear her saying it … but hear her speaking with a radically altered voice.

What happened?

Can I turn to you and ask you what happened?

Can I tell you what that meant?

What on — as well as in — the Earth was going on?

No.

Because I have no idea!

I can only assume what I think happened at the end.

Whatever the entity in the Woods is — woodland spirit, dead necromancer, a mushroom that can talk — whatever it is, it knows what’s been happening, it wants to help the injured Matin … 

And it’s possessed Alma, in order to help.

~≈🍄≈~

“So, Paul,” I hear you ask.

“Have you seen a good film?   And what did you want to ask?”

Yes: In the Earth is a good film.

The camera work is superb, the post-production work and compositing — I believe there’s a lot more of that than we think, especially for the shots through the ‘eye’ of the standing stone — the colour palette, the acting, are all superb.

Joel Fry caught my eye, looking convincingly tortured when having his toes chopped off: and Hayley Squires, convincingly unnerving.

In the Earth may not be Wheatley’s best work: I’m still convinced that’s A Field In England.

But I believe In the Earth is a very good piece, indeed.

One that begs the question I wanted to ask you.

What did you make of the ending?

What did you make of Alma’s last line?

Can you tell me what that ending meant?

Can you get out of the woods?

In the Earth.

★★★★

*        Who reminded me of Sindhu Vee.