The Banishing
Gory haunted house horror has bloody violence, scares, sex.
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The Banishing
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Banishing is a British horror movie with brutal violence, supernatural themes, sex, and occasional strong language, set in 1930s England. The movie takes places in a haunted house setting, when Marianne (Jessica Brown Findlay) and her daughter move into a manor house with her new -- and oppressive -- husband. The story includes murder, bloody images, and dead bodies. Characters are beaten, stabbed, hanged, and threatened with torture. Religion is portrayed negatively and used for manipulation and evil, and reference is made to Nazi Germany. A kid is abducted and there is mention of the death of a baby and abortion, which may be upsetting for some. Strong language includes the word "f--k," and sexist insults such as "whore" and "slut." A couple have sex against a wall, but there is no nudity other than in some drawings. Characters smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol, and are seen to be intoxicated. The presence of ghosts and sudden movements create a tense and frightening atmosphere, which will likely unsettle younger viewers.
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What's the Story?
Set in 1930s England, in THE BANISHING, Marianne (Jessica Brown Findlay), daughter Adelaide (Anya McKenna-Bruce), and husband Linus (John Heffernan) -- a devout reverend -- move into a manor house. Linus' strict rules create an oppressive atmosphere, which only worsens as Marianne begins to see and hear things that hint at evil forces at play. As she begins to unravel the secrets of the house and its past occupants, can she find a way to stop the threat before it engulfs them all?
Is It Any Good?
While the story itself doesn't add much new to the genre, this movie expertly combines all the haunted house tropes into a tense and well-crafted horror. Unfortunately, The Banishing lacks the flair director Christopher Smith has shown previously with the likes of Triangle and Severance. Smith does generate strong performances from his cast -- particularly Brown Findlay in the lead role and Sean Harris as an eccentric spiritualist. But it is Sarah Cunningham's cinematography that really makes the impact here.
Skewed angles, looming corridors, unnerving mirror play, repeated sequences, and nightmarish setups that defy the laws of physics create an unsettling, off-kilter feel that intensifies the gradually building tension. An attempt to link events within the house to those beyond the walls, with the rise of the Nazi Party in the lead-up to World War II, don't quite hit home. But the sense of oppression and fear resonates strongly throughout what is a solid addition to a well-worn narrative.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Banishing. Did the blood and gore seem over the top? Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Was the movie scary? What's the appeal of scary movies?
How did the movie portray sex? Were the sex scenes gratuitous? Were they affectionate? Respectful? Why does that matter? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
What can be learned about English society in the 1930s and how does it compare to today? Discuss the theme of oppression and how it manifests itself in the film. Can you think of any examples today of when people may feel oppressed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: April 15, 2021
- Cast: Jessica Brown Findlay, John Heffernan, John Lynch
- Director: Christopher Smith
- Studio: Shudder
- Genre: Horror
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 97 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 25, 2023
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