Synopsis- Set in 1970s London, a young nurse begins her first shift during a power blackout, only to find herself facing both supernatural forces and the harsh realities of hospital life.
Director- Corinna Faith
Cast- Rose Williams, Charlie Carrick, Diveen Henry
Genre– Horror | Thriller | Period Drama
Released- 2023
Corinna Faith’s The Power (2021) is far from your average ghost story. It’s a haunting piece that blends supernatural horror with the gritty social issues of 1970s Britain. With its tight settings, escalating tension, and a standout performance from Rose Williams, the film evokes a potent mix of fear and outrage, showcasing horrors that are just as much about human cruelty as they are about the supernatural.
The story takes place in a crumbling London hospital amidst the 1974 miners’ strike, where blackouts plunge the city into darkness, not just physically, but morally as well. Rose Williams shines as Val, a fresh-faced nurse eager to make a great impression on her first night shift. But as she navigates the darkened halls, she realises that the shadows conceal more than just the flickering lights; they are steeped in a history of institutional violence and deep-seated trauma.
Faith has crafted this film with the precision of a finely tuned chamber piece. Each corridor buzzes with an escalating sense of dread, and every tiny flicker of light feels heavy with impending doom. The way she builds atmosphere draws comparisons to the works of early Polanski and the politically charged horror from Peter Medak. These power cuts serve as a metaphor for the darkness inherent in patriarchal systems that silence and exploit women under the guise of authority.
At the heart of the film is Williams, whose portrayal of Val is both unnerving and compelling. Her eyes reflect a mix of terror, defiance, and eventual strength as she faces not only supernatural threats but also the systemic abuse that has lurked for too long within the hospital’s walls. Charlie Carrick and Diveen Henry lend strong support, with Carrick embodying the arrogant entitlement of male authority, while Henry provides a quieter, compassionate presence.
Visually, the film is striking; it’s both grimy and beautifully crafted. Cinematographer Laura Bellingham wraps the hospital in sickly greens and amber shadows, and Faith’s slow, measured pacing allows the tension to build almost unbearably. When the supernatural elements finally emerge, it’s not about jump scares, but rather a shocking unveiling of underlying rot, personal, institutional, and cultural.
Though The Power sometimes leans heavily on its symbolism, it more than makes up for it with its raw emotional weight. This film is a horror story that serves as a form of protest, boldly confronting the heart of oppression. It’s an impressive and unsettling debut that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.
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