Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Last Thing Mary Saw’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Last Thing Mary Saw’.
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One collective belief that most of modern man shares in, is that humanity has made incredible progress regarding equality over the past couple of centuries. After all, women can vote when a century ago they could not. Love is finally recognized as a universal act in the courts, allowing for same sex marriage to take place and of course… people from different ethnic backgrounds are finally seen as equals and not as property or lesser citizens, since they are afforded all the rights that rest of us of are. Which means in essence, we should be living in a grand utopia of sorts, one where the sky is the limit, and our future will be written in harmony. But alas, that simply is not the case. For the world is still a chaotic place where prejudice seems to be returning to the mainstream and for proof… just look at the past couple of years.
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For there is a raging battle happening in the courts right now regarding women’s reproductive rights, the kind that the wrong side appears to be winning, which will set back decades of progress and remove freedoms. Not to mention, equal rights regarding the color of your skin or your heritage are not as commonplace as they should be, and Neo-Nazi beliefs are being praised and embraced in a nation that once worked with the world to squash them. Plus, despite finally having same sex marriage be recognized as legal, there is still plenty of prejudice and hate that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience regarding their right to love whomever they wish to love, and let’s not forget that some refused and still refuse to view the law of the land regarding this, as such. Which means we have a long way to go equality wise and these kinds of persistent problems do leave one to wonder… what is the root cause of this lack of progress?

Well as it turns out, the horror industry is leading the charge in answering that all-important question, and it just so happens that Shudder is now host to a motion picture that offers up a potential answer to this problem and that makes The Last Thing Mary Saw, quite the poignant and powerful horror feature. One that outright informs us of the fact that religion, not the concept of it as a whole mind you, but how it is interpreted by individuals that use forgiveness and self-interpretation to drive their own dark agendas… is likely one big reason as to why we are stuck from an equality standpoint. A point it drives home by way of a straightforward plot. Wherein a well-to-do family in New York, is worried about their daughter Mary. For she is clearly in love with the maid, Eleanor, and their religious beliefs and social standing, makes that a sin in their eyes and prompts them to turn to the wise matriarch, who knows her Bible… to figure out how to break the spell of forbidden love that has washed over these young women. And she believes the best way to do that, is through reconditioning and prayer and well… at first glance… that’s not exactly a groundbreaking plot.

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After all, that feels akin to cliché territory since we’ve heard those horror stories of prejudice and ultra-devoted religious beliefs, before. But therein lies the trick. For this story is set in 1843 and by going that route and showcasing elements that are familiar and still happen today, the story hammers home its point. Because if we are still hearing about families that try to ‘pray the gay away’ and/or use abuse to ‘recondition’ or remove someone’s supposed ‘impure urges’, then not much has changed and well… much hasn’t. Because people like the matriarch of this story still exist and if they’re not family members, they’re still old white, ignorant idiots that have a pulpit before them and revel in harming those that they believe are different in the name of a God they’ve created, and well, seeing that on display here and knowing little has changed, makes this an infuriating and uncomfortable viewing experience.
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Since it speaks volumes to how some are holding generations of progress back because of outdated personal beliefs that should have no gravity in the mainstream. But preying upon fear and the weak and using power and monetary influence allows for these beliefs to stick around. Which means that in essence, this is a horror film about the horrors of faith and prejudice and the ugliness that comes out of them, and it doesn’t hurt that the movie uses that notion to make the audience nervous and uncomfortable. Because one of our underlying fears is what devout zealots are capable of when they are eager to prove their way is the right way to the masses. Which gives life to a genuine sense of danger that hangs over Mary and her love, and that puts the viewer on the edge of their seat as they hope with every fiber of their being that these innocents will come out of this nightmare unscathed.

As to whether or not they do, we cannot reveal here. Because there are so many surprises that would be criminal to reveal in this review. Which means, this is a movie that you need to experience firsthand. To not only uncover the resolution of those ominous plot point. But also, because this story is powerful and relevant and brilliant in every way imaginable, and it truly is a quality horror film through and through. Courtesy of the fact that it puts this kind of prejudice on display in the raw and forces us to face it at last. Not to evoke a sense of terror or to casually observe a reality. But to challenge us, to challenge it, and demand better of our fellow man so we can finally move forward as a species and achieve the wonders we dream of. So, when you have a chance, please swing by Shudder, and give this stunning and poignant film a look. Because this one really is something quite special.

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