The mythology of different cultures contain unique creatures that could be the basis for horror movies. The Golem is a Jewish creature but it’s universal. Well, you may appreciate it a tiny bit more if you’ve had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Hanna (Hani Furstenberg) has been getting secret abortions and putting off having children with Benjamin (Ishai Golan). On her sister’s wedding day, gentiles Storm her village blaming the Jews for the plague, which has taken Vladimir (Alex Tritenko)’s daughter. The reason the Jews are not infected is because their village is isolated far away from the pandemic but don’t let logic stop your anti-Semitism, Vlad.
Vladimir and his goons stay in the village and will kill everyone if Vlad’s daughter isn’t healed. So Hanna summons the golem using the code in the Torah. See what you brought on yourself, Vladamir?
The golem rips people limb from limb and uses holy instruments to kill, but of course you can’t control the golem. He’ll end up murdering people you like too. Hanna does become sort of a proud mother, sucking the golem on the gentile invaders.
That’s another layer. The golem is an eight-year-old boy so it’s hard not to see him as a son. Just wait ‘til he turns 13! The film deals with parental grief, as Benjamin says she’s looking for answers in the Torah when there isn’t one.
The actors are playing real life in a 1673 Lithuanian village. It just happens to be a supernatural occurrence going on. I was as riveted by the marriage as I was by the creature. It’s all contained in that village but still feels epic.
Franchise Fred would approve a golem franchise. Continue the story of Hanna’s village, or visit the golem upon different periods in history, or even modern day. If this is just the origin story, Franchise Fred approves.
Screamfest continues through October 18.
