The Legacy (2023) review: This interesting adaptation of a period novel went unnoticed in theaters

Streaming is a good place to recover those small films that briefly pass through the cinema without pain or glory, and that deserve a second chance. ‘The legacy’ is an interesting adaptation of a gothic novel that was released undercover last year, and you already have it available on Movistar Plus+.

The lies we tell

Maud is a young heiress who has just been orphaned. Although those close to him advise him against it, he decides to fulfill the last wishes of his father and let his uncle and his family settle in to manage his estate until he comes of age. without knowing who you are really opening the doors of your house to…

‘The legacy’ (‘Lies we tell’, 2023) is an Irish film directed by Lisa Mulcahy (‘Years and years’) that is based on the gothic mystery novel ‘Uncle Silas’written in 1864 by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (known by the vampiric ‘Carmilla’). It has had several adaptations prior to this, such as the 1947 one by Jean Simmons or Peter O’Toole’s miniseries in 1989.

Although its passage through our billboard was rather silent, this film has everything for lovers of period cinema to enjoy. Starting with the production design that, without being a waste of resources typical of large productions, achieves recreate that gloomy atmosphere of a gothic novel through the setting and the characterization of the characters.

The darkest recesses of the house represent that dark legacy that Maud has accepted, without realizing that it is a poisoned gift. Little by little she discovers that, the small gestures that she glimpsed and she decided to ignore (her cousin’s manners, her cousin’s disturbing smile), They are not simple clouds of smoke, but they warn of a fire that is yet to come.

Definitely, Maud’s character is the most interesting of this story for its nuances: He is a person who is very confident in himself and in his judgment when judging people. However, her youth and the fact that her father did not allow her to leave the house They condition her more than she is willing to admit.and that ends up leading her to rush when granting her trust.

Maud’s is an internal and lonely journeyin which she will have to learn from her mistakes alone and figure out how to use her stubborn character and willpower to fight the threat in her own home and not give in despite being at a disadvantage.

Although it takes some time to understand our protagonist, the film makes us immediately empathize with her and feel the same misgivings about those disturbing gestures that disturb her routine. In addition to the fact that it is very easy to connect with the desperation and helplessness of a person whom They are gaslighting him.

Agnes O’Casey shines as the absolute protagonist of this story, which captivates you during its adjusted duration of an hour and a half. It is true that its ending is somewhat melodramatic but, fortunately, it does not spoil the good taste in your mouth that everything else leaves you with.

‘The Legacy’ is a highly recommended period drama if you like stories of old mansions, cups and ladies plotting their revenge silent. A small, dark and fascinating film that you can now recover in streaming.

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