Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Mandrake’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Mandrake’.
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One particular aspect of our world that we know exists but do not wish to speak to, is the sheer fact that evil is indeed alive and well. And we don’t want to speak to that for simple reasons. For starters, to do so gives evil agency and power and no one is eager for it to ever have that. Not to mention, there is a deep-rooted fear that acknowledging its existence in our world, could make us comfortable with it and make it commonplace. Since apathy has led to normalcy and that’s a scary picture for certain and that is why… we take specific actions against evil every chance that we get. So, we don’t have to speak the hard truth about it and its role in modern society. 
 
Acts that include doing our best to report it when we see it, so that law enforcement or greater powers can handle it accordingly and on a smaller scale, we try to combat it through acts of kindness for the vulnerable. Where we listen to those in pain or go the extra mile for them. In the hopes that they don’t lose faith in humanity and turn to a life of evil. But while we do indeed hope that is the tipping point, since we all take part in it… we simply don’t know if it works or if it truly helps to combat evil. Which is a touch bleak to say, but we don’t. For follow up on such actions is rare because we do have lives to lead and well, it’s a question that oddly enough, is answered in the darkest manner imaginable in the new Shudder Original Feature, Mandrake.
 
A feat that this film accomplishes by plunging us into the heart of a small community where something unsettling has just happened. In that, a notorious killer in the community named Mary Laidlaw (aka ‘Bloody Mary’) has been released from prison. Which rocks everyone’s world since they don’t know if she’s trustworthy or reformed, they only know of her past transgressions. And it falls to Cathy Madden, a local social worker, to attend to Mary as her liaison and of course… Cathy believes in reform and kindness and does her best to try and treat Mary like a person that matters. All in the hopes of giving her a second chance and perhaps give her the foundation to return to the world and be the good person Cathy thinks all aspire to be. But unfortunately for Cathy, Mary has a lot of dark secrets and plans that she is eager to reveal to the world and she wants Cathy to help her in this process.

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​Which is… the perfect way to answer the question at hand. Since Cathy is indeed doing what we think is necessary to combat evil in the world and make life better for others. Because that is some hardcore kindness and should in fact… heal a broken soul. But the fact that Mary cares not about such matters and wants to use the naivety of Cathy to push her own agenda, answers the question in a dark manner. In that…  kindness doesn’t always work. In fact, all it does sometimes is delay the inevitable. For when a person has committed to the darkness, really committed, they’ve made their choice and all that remains is evil actions and agendas that harm and that is… a bleak reality that also motivates the viewer to ponder upon the possibility that Mary is a one-off and was too far gone to really help.
 
But the fact that others follow her lead in this movie and that the townsfolk are quick to push for violence and revenge when she begins to resurrect some old habits that die hard, speaks to something greater and far more philosophical. In that, evil is inherently within all of us, and it can easily be brought forth if the circumstances are right and that… makes this a devastating film through and through. One that speaks to the possibility that what we wish to fight, cannot be defeated because it is in our very DNA. Which really does rob one of hope and leaves us wondering how we do change course and therein lies the brilliance in this film. Because even in horror, happy endings and answers exist. So, to not receive it here, puts this film in the nihilistic pantheon of Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, or even Speak No Evil. Where the cruelty of the universe is put on display and allows for evil to do its thing and win.
 
If anything, the only real ‘positive’ answer it gives the audience, is that we will have to make fundamental changes to society and how we raise children and conduct ourselves if we want evil gone and who knows if that is possible. But while that does indeed leave one in need of a hug, make no mistake about it, this is a horror film, one that also delivers on the scares. For there are some supernatural elements that accompany the savagery of man and those work well here and genuinely unsettle you and that only adds to the power and the gravity of what truly is… a heartbreaking masterpiece. One that is angry and hopeless and eager to affirm some of our darkest fears about humanity, and that makes this a must-see horror film for certain. Because going that route is about as brave and bold as it gets in this feel-good era of storytelling.

‘Mandrake’ is now streaming on Shudder.

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