STARVE ACRE is a British Folk Horror Movie starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark. Honestly, that’s enough reason to check it out, but it’s also eerie and strange in intriguing ways. Read our Starve Acre movie review here!

STARVE ACRE is coming to US theaters, and this British Folk Horror Movie is quite an interesting beast. It has a very eerie and dark vibe where ancient tales and the power of nature come into play.

Also, it stars Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark which is plenty of reason to check it out. It won’t be for everyone, but if you find a movie like Lamb interesting, then this is definitely one to watch.

Continue reading our Starve Acre movie review below. Find it in Theaters and On Demand from July 26, 2025.

The Legend of Starve Acre

Starve Acre is about the town of the same name. And please, do yourself a favor and avoid spoilers about the plot, because the way it evolves will hit much harder. In a good way, mind you.

We meet a married couple with a son who starts acting strangely. Even in ways one would easily describe as cruel.

Is it something sinister that has taken hold of him? Maybe the stuff of legends regarding what lives in the soil of their hometown?!

Starve Acre (2023) – Review | British Folk Horror

According to the official plot a “long-dormant ancient evil rooted deep in the countryside” manages to find its way into the life of this small family.

Having Morfydd Clark (Saint Maud) and Matt Smith (His House) in the two lead roles of this movie is nothing short of perfect casting. Both deliver fascinating and extremely different character portrayals.

Honestly, the entire cast of Starve Acre is wonderful.

Watch Starve Acre On Demand or In Theaters 

This movie was directed and written by Daniel Kokotajlo. However, it’s based on the award-winning 2019 novel of the same name by Andrew Michael Hurley.

The entire story plays out over a fairly short time in rural Yorkshire during the 1970s. A place and time that seems like the perfect setting for a folk horror story.

The runtime is 98 minutes, which isn’t too long. However, I do recognize that you probably need to be a fan of slow-burn folk horror drama to get the most out of it. It isn’t too slow and it does include a few intense scares.

Still, it’s the overall mood and vibe that makes it work so efficiently.

STARVE ACRE releases In Theaters & On Demand on July 26, 2024.

Details

Written & Directed by: Daniel Kokotajlo
Starring: Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark, Erin Richards, Sean Gilder

Plot

When their son starts acting strangely, a couple unwittingly allow dark and sinister forces into their home, awakening a long-dormant ancient evil rooted deep in the countryside.

Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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