Summary
Starve Acreis a gothic horror directed by Daniel Kokotajlo and based on Andrew Michael Hurly’s fiction book of the same name. Set in the British landscape, the film follows parents Juliette and Richard as they attempt to navigate the aftermath ofa horrific tragedy. The grief drives a wedge between the couple, with Richard turning to archeology as a reprieve. However, what he finds in the countryside defies the laws of nature and sets a cataclysmic chain of events into motion.
The cast is led by world-renowned fantasy actors Morfydd Clark (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) and Matt Smith (House of the Dragon). Clark shares that she was drawn to the film due to her interest in folklore and the dark circumstances that surround their characters. She enjoyed working with Smith, as he offered a respite from the solemn atmosphere they had to portray while the cameras were rolling.
The Rings Of Power’s Promised New Tolkien Character Can End A Controversial Story In Season 2
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’s promise to adapt one classic Tolkien character will have a major impact.
Screen Rantchats with Morfydd Clark aboutStarve’s Acre’schilling themes, forming a connection with Juliette, and what to expect inThe Rings of PowerSeason 2.
Screen Rant: Your director mentioned that you enjoyed horror and gothic films. How did this film stand out to you from other movies in those genres?
Morfydd Clark: I think what I really liked about it was the atmosphere and the feeling that there was this creeping dread of nature encroaching. That’s something I like in horror, when you feel totally surrounded by the vibe of it all. Even if nothing’s really happening, this dread is still there. I find the idea of a marriage not going well just absolutely horrific. It’s kind of a horror that we all have access to. I found a normalness of it with the horror.
As you were saying, a big part of the story is the effect that tragedy can have on a marriage. How did you and Matt approach the relationship between Juliette and Richard?
Morfydd Clark: It’s not that these characters don’t like each other. They cannot let themselves be seen. It would be so painful to be truly open that they just closed themselves off. I also felt really interested in looking at this idea of folklore and tradition, but also seeing a couple experiencing grief in a situation where there doesn’t seem to be any ritual around it and that’s quite damaging to them.
They’re just left naked and alone to cope with this enormous loss, so then they search for something that can help it. I’m fascinated with what people do when their actual existence is so painful that they have to search for something more to make it make sense. The answer can come and be good, or it can be something really exploitive, and they meet quite an exploitive little hare.
Clark Felt Lucky To Have Matt Smith As Her Co-Star On Starve Acre
You and Matt are both from big-budget fantasy shows, so what was it like to come together to work on a project with a much smaller cast?
Morfydd Clark: It was a blessing for me. I don’t know if he’d say that, because basically, he calmed me down about having a big series coming out, because I had never done that before. He was like, “You’ll be fine. It’s a lot of fun.” So I feel so lucky that I was with him. We were in this house in the middle of nowhere.
There were a lot of chats about what was to come. Whenever I’ve done something that explores the darkness of human nature and the tragedies of life, you really need respite from it. He is so good at delivering seriousness when the cameras are there but also very playful and silly when it’s not.
I read in the production notes that you had about four days of rehearsal where you focused on the characters and found a personal connection to them. Can you give some insight into the background you created for Juliette?
Morfydd Clark: I feel very lucky that I’ve come into acting post “Me Too,” post lots of women doing lots of things to make my existence in this industry better. I kind of feel that for all the women of the past, and Juliet lives a very different life to me where she isn’t allowed to fall apart, isn’t allowed to really express herself.
She kind of was living a tradwife existence. That’s just expected of her. I was thinking of all the things that I can do that she wouldn’t be able to. I can be very expressive, I’ve been brought up to be allowed to be, and she wasn’t. It’s looking at all the things that were different from us, not the things that were the same.
Before I wrap, is there anything you can tease about Galadriel inThe Rings of PowerSeason 2?
Morfydd Clark: I’m always very scared to tease. I would just say the mortal enemies hate each other even more than before, and they’re looking even better than they ever did.
About Starve Acre
When their son starts acting strangely, a couple unwittingly allow dark and sinister forces into their home, awakening a long-dormant ancient evil rooted deep in the countryside.
Check back for our interview withStarve Acrewriter-director Daniel Kokotajlo as well.
