The Awakening

Released - 2011
Genre - Horror, Thriller
Director - Nick Murphy
Starring - Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton

This ghost story is set in post-war England in 1921 at a huge boarding school. Professional skeptic and hoax buster, Florence, is invited to Rookford School for boys by one of the teachers, Robert, though he seems doubtful about her ability to help. There has been a mysterious death and the boys are gossiping about supernatural causes. She begins to investigate and doesn't like what she discovers. This is atmospheric stuff, featuring a stunning setting, a great cast, and skillful, tension-building direction. The mood of the period in the aftermath of the devastating First World War is carefully captured and there's an undercurrent exploring the general misogyny of the time. It's not perfect, the horror elements are familiar and it gets a little confused, but if you like supernatural tales there's definitely enough going on here to make it worth adding to your list.

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