The Carpenter son is a haunting and dark movie set in a small village in Romans-Egypt where it is an ordinary family that gets involved in a battle of the supernatural and God. It is a story about a carpenter, his wife and their young son, the Boy, whose emerging abilities create suspect and fear. The movie delves into questions of faith, doubt and innocence, as wonderful story of spiritual warfare, both ancient and primal at the same time. The supernatural horrors have a physiological nature and this element of dread and wonder remains as the viewers reside on the edges of their seats.
The movie is exceptional in its subtle but strong narration. The performances are plainly forceful, and the internal conflicts of the family are depicted in subtle means and gestures which induce a feeling of genuine emotion. The movement is conscious and it provides time to ponder and then burst into scenes of divine and natural havoc. Cinematography is used in a very earthy manner and dark tones with dark compositions to help the viewer get into the ancient atmosphere and the use of light and dark to highlight the fact that the film explores the unseen supernatural as well as evil powers. The visuals are well complemented by the score and sound design that changes to interrupted crescendos in a tone that builds the tension.
The most impressive thing was the way the movie depicted the existence of a divine as something mysterious and imminent, and that faith is usually accompanied by the need to face the unknown. Very few but effective special effects support the supernatural aspect of the story without crowding out the emotional aspect of the story. In general, The Carpenter Son is a wonderful piece of reflection on the invisible conflicts, which structure our life, and leaves the feeling of awe and subsequent contemplation over the force of faith and innocence in the confrontation with the divine and natural atrocities.
