Why I took them off the list: I always try to go to Sitges, one of my favorite film festivals, each year and see at least a couple of films.

This time, I decided to check out the latest film from directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, whose The Deep House screened at the 2021 edition of the festival and left a positive impression on me.

And because I wanted to make it a Double Feature, I decided to also check out the gorgeous-looking latest film from celebrated Italian director Pupi Avati (The House with Laughing Windows), L’orto americano.

So, let’s dig in!

Review of The American Backyard (L’orto americano)

L’orto americano tells the story of a young Italian aspiring writer who falls in love at first glance with a beautiful American army nurse during the waning days of World War II. After the war, he moves to a rural Idaho town to quietly work on a novel manuscript, only to discover he’s living next door to the woman’s elderly mother.

The old woman is distraught because her daughter has gone missing without a trace, so the young man promises to solve the mystery of the disappearance. One night, he follows a ghostly voice pleading for help to the dilapidated backyard of the adjoining house, where he finds a buried jar with gruesome contents.

This sequence is only one of a handful of horror-adjacent scenes the film has, as it reveals itself to be more of a mystery/thriller, despite the frequent presence of an eerie theremin on the soundtrack. The man follows a trail of clues that lead him back to Italy, where he becomes involved in a murder trial that could link to the missing nurse.

In its second half, L’orto americano devolves into something of only a mildly involving courtroom drama, and loses sight of its protagonist a little bit. However, it morphs back into a psychological thriller for a tense final act where the real culprit is gradually revealed.

Although he doesn’t have much character development to dig into, Filippo Scotti is an engaging and sympathetic presence as the lead (plus he’s easy on the eyes, coming over as a lankier, more Italian version of Tom Holland). And British screen legend Rita Tushingham makes a strong impression as the distraught elderly woman despite limited screen time.

Final score: 6.5/10

The American Backyard (2024): Worth Watching?

Yes, while the unraveling of the mystery feels a bit slow, meandering and padded-out, The American Backyard always holds the attention thanks to some stunning black and white cinematography, strong performances, and some tense sequences.

Review of The Soul Eater (Le mangeur d’âmes)

At a Q&A session following the screening of this film, the directors started that their intention was to make something a bit different from their usual horror output. Indeed, they’ve steered away from the supernatural elements of their previous films like Livid (2011) and The Deep House (2021) to deliver what is essentially a police procedural/dark thriller.

This offering is much more in line with the gritty tone of the duo’s debut Inside (2007), as it follows 2 city cops investigating brutal murders and child disappearances in a small mountain town. In the course of their inquiries, they come across the local legend of the boogeyman of the title, which they come to suspect has some sort of connection to the crimes.

Somewhat surprisingly, though, the monster in the woods turns out to be something of a red herring in a twisty and dark tale of very real-world horrors.

Bustillo and Maury once again showcase that they know to how stage tense set pieces in dark and grungy spaces, but the emphasis is more on the personal journeys of the 2 leading investigators (engagingly played by Virginie Ledoyen and Paul Hamy).

And the film sticks the landing in the third act story-wise in a way the director’s previous work didn’t always, offering up a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

Final score: 7/10

The Soul Eater (2024): Worth Watching?

Yes, The Soul Eater is a solid thriller that’s atmospheric, engaging, and tense. Those looking for a straight horror film are likely to be disappointed, but the film does have its share of chills and gore, and its police procedural elements work well and contribute to a satisfying and surprising narrative.