A farmer's murderous greed leads to a slow, rat-infested rot in 1922
In short: In this 2017 horror film, a Nebraska farmer conspires with his son to murder his wife over a land dispute. What follows is not a typical slasher, but a haunting psychological descent where guilt manifests as a relentless, swarming plague of rats that eventually consumes the entire family.
Directed by Zak Hilditch and based on a 2010 Stephen King novella, 1922 tells the story of Wilfred James, a farmer who murders his wife, Arlette, to prevent her from selling their land and moving to Omaha. To secure his son Henry's cooperation, Wilf exploits the boy's desire to stay near his girlfriend, Shannon Cotterie. The crime, however, triggers a catastrophic collapse of their lives. After dumping Arlette's body in a well, the pair find themselves haunted by the consequences of their actions, both physically and psychologically.
The film, which premiered at the 2017 Fantastic Fest, was praised by critics for its patient, atmospheric storytelling rather than relying on cheap scares. Thomas Jane’s performance as the tortured Wilfred James is central to the film's success, capturing the character's slow descent into madness. As the narrative progresses, the physical decay of the farm mirrors Wilf's internal state. His son and Shannon flee, only to become the 'Sweetheart Bandits' before meeting tragic ends, leaving Wilf isolated and increasingly plagued by visions of his victims and the rats that fed upon their remains.
Production of the film involved unique logistical challenges. Because a suitable farmhouse with a cornfield could not be secured in time for the harvest season, the production team utilized a mix of computer graphics, Chinese-made prop corn, and location shots in Boort, Australia, while principal photography took place in Vancouver. The film’s critical reception was largely positive, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 91% approval rating. Critics noted that the film avoids lurid horror tropes, instead focusing on the protagonist's suffering as a 'slow rot' that culminates in a final, inevitable confession in 1930, eight years after the crime.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 1922 (2017 film)
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