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‘Gretel and Hansel’ Is Visually Striking But Lacks Narrative Meat
Stylish though it may be, Oz Perkins’ nightmarish vision is hampered by weak storytelling.
Like most fairy tales, the story of Hansel and Gretel is a dark affair. It’s a story that’s been told often in many ways, but it has never been told like Oz Perkins tells it in Gretel and Hansel. Perkins came onto the horror scene with a definitive voice with the excellent The Blackcoat’s Daughter, announcing himself as an auteur that isn’t afraid to go against the grain. He excels in slow burn stories that utilize devilishly creepy imagery, so he’s the perfect choice for a retelling of the spookiest Brothers Grimm story.
Gretel and Hansel delivers on the slow burn satanic aspect. It’s a gorgeous looking film from start to finish, filled to the brim with creepy imagery and set design. Presented in a 1.55:1 aspect ratio, the film is tense and claustrophobic, living up to the Grimm name gloriously. This is the most beautiful horror film of the last ten years; the world that Perkins creates is as magnetic as it is terrifying.
Unfortunately, the script is a letdown. Apart from changing the ages of the children and putting more focus on Gretel (Sophia Lillis), it’s a fairly straightforward adaptation of the tale. This means that the plot…
