The Severed Sun (2024)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Suffocating under the heavy boot of her father, Magpie (Emma Appleton) looks to survive the debilitating and homicidal paranoia that has infiltrated her church community. Seemingly followed by a mysterious dark figure, Magpie traverses the entirety of The Severed Sun looking for acceptance and the ability to clear her name. 

Clearly inspired by Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” The Severed Sun borrows (and I use that term lightly) from the aforementioned play. Much of the film focuses on ideals, ideas, and plot pieces plucked straight from Miller’s classic. With that, and being familiar with these aspects of the film, I certainly appreciated the heart of The Severed Sun, but I quickly wanted some variation, a twist that helped to separate this film from “The Crucible.” As the film barrels forward, and it does–clocking in at just an hour-and-twenty minutes–I struggled to find moments that didn’t call directly back to what ultimately feels like the source material. 

Additionally, I felt that the acting performances lacked conviction, providing another reason why the film struggled to appeal to me. The Severed Sun clearly employs a series of actors that have potential, as can be seen on numerous occasions throughout the course of the film. However, they often appear to struggle throughout the majority of the film–unable to develop genuine emotion or anything akin to it. Beyond that, I often found that their shortcomings made it challenging for me to become emotionally invested in The Severed Sun, effectively forcing space between me and the film as a whole. 

Given the fact I felt that I knew the entirety of the narrative (there were, of course, exceptions) and the lack of aplomb in terms of the performances, the majority of The Severed Sun lacked enough originality and gusto to keep me invested. There were many times in which I found myself drifting away from the film, struggling to remain focused–and while I’m no stranger to the struggles of an ADHD-ridden millennial, I place the onus on The Severed Sun in this situation. 

What works incredibly well for The Severed Sun, however, is the use of pale sepia to create a sense of drama and discomfort that transcends a series of pivotal moments of the film–paired nicely with a physical grittiness that exists throughout the film’s entirety. The use of color creates something of an immersive experience that manages to combat the other shortcomings that plague the film. The tone is clear from the start, but using aggressive color tones and a gritty aesthetic throughout The Severed Sun help to cement that dark and harrowing tone. 

The derivative nature of The Severed Sun paired with the ineffective performances create a challenging product for viewers. A far more simplistic approach and tightening up the dialogue in order for those actors to find more success would have afforded the film a better chance at success. However, the film’s aesthetic, developed by Writer-Director Dean Puckett, provides some semblance of levity to the abrasive watch, while juxtapositionally creating depth, drama, and intensity that manages to span the length of The Severed Sun. While the film ultimately grasps at straws in order to reach its audience, some of the directorial decisions made by Puckett manage to help create something compelling, sometimes even in its moments of supreme failure. 

Written & Directed by Dean Puckett. 

Starring Emma Appleton, Toby Stephens, Barney Harris, Lewis Gribben, James Swanton, etc. 

6/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE