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Cast: Charlotte Kirk (Ocean’s Eight, Vice, How To Be Single), Joe Anderson (Across The Universe, The Crazies), Steven Waddington (The Imitation Game, “The Tudors”) and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers, Equilibrium)
In THE RECKONING, after losing her husband during the Great Plague, Grace Haverstock (Kirk) is unjustly accused of being a witch and placed in the custody of England’s most ruthless witch-hunter, Judge Moorcroft (Pertwee). Forced to endure physical and emotional torture while steadfastly maintaining her innocence, Grace must face her own inner demons as the Devil himself starts to work his way into her mind.
In hindsight you can look at 'The Reckoning' as being a missed opportunity by writer's Neil Marshall who also directed the film, Charlotte Kirk and Edward Evers-Swindell. Because the film could have gone several different ways including a much more sinister way. I think that is why so many people were disappointed with the film because they went into it expecting a horror film but got an Action, Drama, History film instead. The trailer is to blame for that but I actually enjoyed the found and even thought it moves along at a slow plus I was hooked right from the start and stayed engaged all the way to the end.
The film is set during great plague of 1665 when women were accused of being witches and were burned to death. The story centers around Grace whose husband commits suicide after contracted the plague. After refusing advances made by her landlord he spreads the word that his is a witch. After being taken in they call on a witch finder who attempts to get a confession from Grace by any means possible. But no amount of torture can get her to confess as she is determined to stay strong for her baby who was taken from her.
'The Reckoning' has its flaws like any other film but I was kept entertained until the action kicked in and beyond. The film is not great but I recommend it to anyone that enjoys this kind of period piece. Production wise the film looks great and the thought the acting was very good as well.
'The Reckoning' is available now on DVD & Blu-ray with Special Features that include, Deleted Scenes. The film is a journey worth taking so be sure to check it out.
Released by RLJE Films
*** Out Of *****