Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Power’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Power’. Which could trigger individuals that are sensitive to subject matter revolving around sexual assault.
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For the most part, we tend to shed our fears as we grow older. Because we come to learn that a lot of what scared us in our youth, really isn’t that terrifying after all. Allowing for us to have a grand sense of satisfaction over the fact that we are outright becoming a bolder and wiser person, one that can handle just about anything the world sends our way in a brave manner. But there was mention of the fact, that we don’t completely shed what terrifies us, when we reach adulthood. Because what’s fascinating about life, is that old terror is replaced with new, such as when we discover that our time is finite on this Earth or… when we come to realize, that some of our age-old fears figured out a way to evolve. Take our fear of the dark for example.

Because despite the fact that we know that there is no ghoulish, sharp toothed creature, waiting for us in the dark or that the shadow in the corner of the room is likely a chair, we still fear its presence. Mainly because, as we grow, we come to learn that it is indeed filled with monsters. For life experiences help us to learn that the real monsters that lurk in the shadows of the night are human beings. Because something about the sun going down or the lights going out, allows for bad people to indulge in the darkness they harbor within their own souls and we truly fear what the bad folks out there are capable of when the sun sinks behind the world. If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because there is a brand-new horror film on Shudder that explores all of this in The Power.

Now in this particular film, we are transported back to 1974 England. Specifically, to a time where rolling blackouts at night were necessary thanks to economic strife, and on one fine day, we are introduced to a young nurse named Valerie. And she is on top of the world when we meet her, for she is about to start her dream job at a hospital and is so looking forward to dedicating her days to caring to the sick and the wounded. But a gross misstep with her new boss on this all-important day, prompts her to be punished by serving on the night shift in the ICU. Wherein she will only have herself, an old chum from nursing school and the darkness to keep her company. An unsettling task that seems to be conquerable, that is until Valerie begins to realize that there is something else in this hospital, lurking in the dark… and it has its sights set; on making contact with Val. 

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Which at first glance, is a plot that doesn’t really seem as though it is going to focus on the evils that men do and for quite a fair chunk of this film… that examination really doesn’t show up in the slightest. Instead, we are treated to some genuinely chilling sequences, the kind that remind us of how much we once feared the dark and what might be lurking in it. Except in this case, the ghost we thought we were running away from when we hit the light switch at the bottom of the stairs, before racing up them… is actually there. And this is of note because this makes for some quality horror for certain, the kind that could definitely motivate a viewer to cower in fear over what exactly is hunting Val in the utter void surrounding her. Plus, once ‘it’ makes contact, horrible things happen, truly reinforcing the possibility that this movie is likely going to be nothing more than a quality ghost story.
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But once the legend of ‘Dirty Gail’ is explored and we come to learn that her spirit isn’t pure malice, but one of vengeance, the story completely changes in tone and becomes a powerfully relevant take on the Me Too and Time’s Up movements. For we come to learn that Val and Saba are survivors of sexual assault and that Gail unfortunately lost her life by trying to speak up about the doctor that assaulted her, which is why her spirit wants vengeance against those who didn’t help and well, that leads to some devastating commentary. The kind that speaks to how we don’t listen or don’t believe survivors of assault when they speak up about their experiences and the film deserves serious credit for shifting its tone and design to make this a focus, and for showing us the lasting impact and horror that comes forth from sexual assault, and for exploring how our silence and indifference creates the ‘dark veil’ that gives power to the monsters that are willing to commit such an atrocious act.

If anything, all of these elements make this… a brilliant horror film when all is said and done. Because this one, really does offer up some brave and fearless commentary on a matter that is sadly taboo in this day and age and writer and director Corrina Faith deserves our respect for assembling a motion picture that addresses sexual assault in such a powerful and impactful manner. For the scares and the mystery surrounding Gail, truly does compel you see this through to the end, allowing for the surprise to have gravity and weight and meaning, to the point where this motion picture stays with you for quite some time. Simply because this one asks more of the viewer, since it makes it clear that silence and indifference in regard to sexual assault is no longer acceptable, and if we ever expect to see it end… we have to stand together and shine a light on this particular brand of darkness.

‘The Power’ is available to stream right now, exclusively on Shudder.

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