Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Dancing Village: The Curse Begins’

8/25/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from DANCING VILLAGE: THE CURSE BEGINS Courtesy of Shudder.

One particular aspect of our parents falling ill or passing on, that we simply don’t think about… is that this moment will bring forth some stunning truths. Some of which are personal in nature, since it prompts us to really think upon how we feel about them and if there’s any unfinished business we need to handle with them. Which will indeed bring about those truths in question since we will potentially discover some feelings we never knew existed. Not to mention, there’s a fair chance a confession or a discovery will take place. One where we learn a great deal about them, we never knew before. Which could lead to some pleasant truths or horrific ones that will forever change our outlook upon them.

It is of course, that last option we hope to never encounter. Because then we have to reconcile so much regarding our parents, the kind of stuff that might require therapy and a whole new worldview based upon what we learned. Plus, it can put us in an awkward position. Wherein the sins of the parent are now in our hands, and we must decide how to best to handle those sins. Wherein we can either try and right those wrongs or leave them be and move forward with our lives. Which is, a tough decision to say the least, since there are pros and cons that accompany both choices. For while we may find peace in helping them out, we may get involved in matters that don’t concern us and potentially carry forth generational trauma and sour traditions that should die. But also, there may always be lingering regret over not offering peace to the fallen.

If anything, the dangers of getting into matters of the past that simply don’t involve us is top of mind today, simply because it is explored in the extreme in the new Shudder feature, Dancing Village: The Curse Begins. A feat this film accomplishes by introducing us to Mila. A woman whose mother is indeed quite ill, and on the verge of death and well, that has prompted family to bring a shaman into the mix, one who informs Mila there is a way to save her mother. In that, she must return an ancient bracelet to an ancient village, which will appease a spirit and lift the illness from her mother. Which Mila is happy to oblige, until she and her friends discover, that they have walked into a spiritual trap. For the village in question was once her mother’s home, and she escaped long ago with that bracelet to keep an evil spirit at bay, and in order to be free again, this spirit has worked from beyond to manipulate Mila to bring it home.

All of which, properly explores those dangers of getting involved in matters that concerned another life. For truly, if Mila were to make peace with her mother’s pending passing and perhaps, ask a few questions about the bracelet she knows nothing of, the suffering she goes through here would never have happened. But that is what we often do in these moments, we truly believe that somehow the only way to truly give our parents peace at the end is to abide by all their wishes and then we uncover so much and sometimes end up staring down dark secrets of find ourselves embroiled in them, and well… this movie points out that perhaps it is best… we truly leave all that be. For it is up to the individual to handle their own affairs and if they have not, that is upon them and their soul. Which may sound cold in nature, but it is true. For we are only the master and commander of our own path.

Which is quite the powerful message to find in this film, but one that resonates in an era where generational divides rule the day and where the next generation is eager to chart a path forward that is free from the trappings of the 20th Century. But while it is wonderful to enjoy a thoughtful feature that explores the horrors of generational matters, we would be remiss to not point out that this is also, a damn fine folk horror film. One that features a powerhouse mythos for the monster and makes full use of the village setting to bring forth classic folk horror concepts to spook us with. Such as the horrors of traditions. Plus, the spirits that roam this place are quite creepy in nature, and those elements do indeed bring forth some quality scares, that are simple but quite impactful, since they do indeed leave you uneasy at your very core.

In the end, this is just… a wonderful horror film. One that is brooding, and unsettling in nature, courtesy of its magnificent setting, and it is also wonderfully intelligent. Since it does tackle some important topics that we are only now broaching in this world regarding tradition, and you can never go wrong with a horror story that explores modern problems. But truly, it is the mythos of the monster that allows for this story to shine. Because it does suck you in and leaves you eager to learn more about this creature and its origins, and of course… it feels natural and plausible, and it also doesn’t hurt that the cast here does a wonderful job of selling the fear and the sorrow of coming to learn what we all hate to learn. That our parents are not perfect, and made as many mistakes as we did, if not worse ones, and that sometimes… letting those mistakes die with them is right way to go.

Watch: ‘Dancing Village: The Curse Begins’

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