Mandrake

If you mention witchcraft to people in general, they will most likely think of two things:

* Witchcraft is fans of the 2002 film Crossroads with Britney Spears. There is absolutely no other film that is filled with more witchcraft than this particular film ( i have unfortunatley seen it, so i should know ). I would not recommend that you watch this film unless you want to experience demonic possessions, then it actually might work.

* Witchcraft is seen as magic or supernatural powers to harm others, unless the witch happens to be a big Nickelback fan, then we know at least that she have a very good taste in music.

I have looked into some books about witchcraft history and i remember being interested in a witch hunting manual called The Malleus Maleficarum ( Latin for "Hammer Of The Witches" ). It was written by German Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer and first published in the German city of Speyer in 1486. It has been described as the compendium of literature of demonology of the 15th century. The top theologians of the Inquisition at the Faculty of Cologne condemned the book as recommending unethical and illegal procedures, as well as being inconsistent with Catholic doctrines of demonology. To explain it more simple you could say that The Malleus Maleficarum was the 15th century version of the novel Bridget Jones Diary by author Helen Fielding. There are a few differences of course since back in the 15th century, women could not discuss all the same subjects as Bridget Jones did. But otherwise i would say it matches pretty well considering the contents of both books. Speaking of witchcraft this is something that have been used in a lot of different horror films. You have classics such as the 1966 Hammer Films production known as The Witches Or The Devil´s Own, and then you have more modern films about witchcraft and especially one film comes to my mind. The 2016 supernatural horror film The Autopsy Of Jane Doe from director André Ovredal is definetely a must watch, and tells the story of small town coroner Tommy Tilden ( Brian Cox ) and his son Austin Tilden ( Emile Hirsch ) who work together. When Sheriff Sheldon Burke ( Michael McElhatton ) arrives to coroner Tommy with an unknown dead young woman who is named Jane Doe ( Olwen Kelly ), he wants to find out why she died and try to get answer from the mulitple homicide crime scene where she was found. As they begin to examine her body, it becomes pretty clear that something is not right. She doesn´t appear to have died a natural way, and as they dig deeper for answers it seems she might have another hidden secret. This is a very well made horror film with witchcraft influences and is definetely worth picking up on DVD or Blu Ray. I have seen a couple of titles in recent years that have something to do with witchcraft and one of the titles i was curious about is an Irish horror film called Mandrake. Witchcraft in Ireland, that is something you don´t see everyday so of course i had to see if this would work. Is Mandrake one of the better witchcraft horror films in recent years, or is this unfortunately not as good as it could have been?

In a small rural town in North Ireland, parole officer Cathy Madden ( Deidre Mullins ) who takes pride in rehabilitating her clients back into civilization once they´re released from prison. As a divorced single mother, she has difficulty connecting with her son, which is amplified bu the close relationship he shares with his stepmother. To distract herself from the challenging reality, Cathy focuses on her work instead to ignite a sense of purpose. After her cowerker refuses to take on the case of newly freed Mary Laidlaw ( Derbhle Cotty ), Cathy volunteers to help her settle her back into a life outside of prison. People talk about Mary being a witch and Cathy try to ignore what people say, trying not to be judgemental. Until two missing children is found dead as if they have gone through some kind of ritual, a lot of questions are beginning to circle around town.

Mandrake is in some ways a very traditional Irish film when it comes to the nature scenery and the Irish people. Unfoertunately there is no traditional Irish music here but i can accept that. And when you throw in a witch into this landscape it already matches well with the history of Ireland, because they did exist in Ireland as well. But the one thing that makes this film stand out from traditional Irish horror films is the folklore horror elements that are clearly seen througout this film. I would definetely say that this is what makes this film more effective than i expected. With that said i would say that Mandrake does have some other qualities as well. One of the things i appreciate is the portrait of of a divorced hard working mother. I am not saying it´s a good thing that she is divorced, but the portrait of the main character Cathy feels realistic played by actress Deidre Mullins ( who you should see in the really good TV mini series The Drowning ). Shes trying really hard to make things work with her son, while shes also trying to deal with her work as a parole officer. Deidre Mullis deliver a solid performance from start to finish, and to see her struggle even more as she is kidnapped definetely helps the film become interesting in a completely different way. Actress Derbhle Cotty ( who is a must see in the very powerful drama film Notes On A Scandal ) definetely show her acting abilities as the witch Mary, and you can feel that she is filled with a passion for darkness. The film looks beautiful especially during the bleak night scenes, and i have to mention how great the cinematography is from Conor Rotherham ( who actually worked on the viking film The Northman, a film you should see ). If you are intested in witchcraft horror films then i have a feeling you will enjoy Mandrake. Director Lynne Davison take this film very seriously and especially the witch influences, and it definetely makes this film look even more darker. If you are a folklore horror fan look no further, Mandrake should be exactly what you were hoping for. Who would have thought Irish witches could be this wonderful? I had no clue but i might actually date one, especially after the experience of seeing Mandrake.

Rating: DDD