Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘A Banquet’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘A Banquet’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that modern mankind has quite the complicated relationship with grief as a result of loss. Because while we are fully aware that it is a part of the human experience, since life does tend to take from us as much as it gives to us, we don’t like to deal with such matters and quite frankly… we don’t know how to deal with such matters. Because at the core of it, we simply haven’t bothered to understand grief, and some would say… why should we? For it is at its core… a miserable emotion. One that leaves us in tears and in a sour place and prompts us to lose sight of the world and its beauty while we weep for those we lost.
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Which is why… a great deal of people, firmly believe that grief is something we should power through and be free of as quickly as possible. But the fact of the matter is, that’s not how grief works in the slightest and there really is no timetable upon how long it takes, nor is there is an exact way to overcome it. If anything, the only guaranteed way to move beyond it, is time and having a support network around to help one confront it. Because if we don’t deal with our grief and find a way to resolve it, disaster can and will strike and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a motion picture that explores those dangers in A Banquet.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a family, that has been through utter hell. For their father… opted to commit suicide when he was suffering through a horrific illness year ago, and rather than have her children, Betsey and Isabelle, deal with the pain of losing him… Holly, decided that it would be best that everyone just move on and see where life takes them. Which at first, is a plan that appears to work like a charm. For when we catch up with them years after dad’s passing… they’re doing okay and seem to be on the road to a solid future. But a strange encounter between Betsey and a blood moon, changes the peaceful lifestyle this family enjoys and poses quite the question. In that, has something evil found the family courtesy of that moon or has something unresolved within Betsy been awakened?

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Which at first glance is a story that seems more grounded in the supernatural than reflections upon grief and its power and our need to resolve it. Something that is further reinforced by the fact that Betsey doesn’t take the time to eat anything after that encounter, and motherly musings about some legendary spirits that know how to consume quietly and carefully when the world has slipped into its slumber only adds to the ghostly mythos. Plus, slowing down the story to ponder upon such matters, also makes this a slow-burning horror story as well. One that requires a little bit of patience and a focused attention to detail. Because once you get past the spiritual stuff and really look at Betsey and her actions, does the commentary in question come into play.

Because it turns out, that the blood moon, triggered a memory about her father’s death since she witnessed it. And since she didn’t resolve that pain in the slightest, the grief that has been lying beneath her skin, swims to the surface and takes control… and breaks her. Prompting her to skip meals and prompting her to do what she must to rationalize her father’s passing. Which serves to teach us about the power of grief and what it does to us when unchecked and how things will only get worse when we continue to fight its power and its need for resolution and well… once that becomes apparent, this story and its ending takes on quite the bleak and powerful tone. The kind that makes this an intimate horror film when all is said and done.

One that is clearly about the horrors of the mind and of life in general since death is such a visceral experience through and through. Not to mention, it is equally as horrifying to see Holly fight resolution and confrontation with every fiber of her being, to the point of genuine tragedy. If anything, all of these elements make this a learning tale of sorts, since some of the stuff we see here behavior wise, serves to remind us to not be like Holly and take mental health seriously and help our loved ones and ourselves to grieve, lest we enjoy a banquet of sorrow. Which in the end, makes this a brilliant and powerful horror film, one that definitely requires some serious thought. So, if you’re looking for a horror movie with a different kind of bite, the kind that gnaws upon your mind… then swing by Shudder first chance you get and give this brainy tale of terror a look. You’ll be glad you did.

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