Horror Movie Review: The Well (2023)

Directed by Federico Zampaglione, who co-wrote the story with Stefano Masi, The Well takes its inspiration from the Italian gore movies of the 80s, sprinkles in a bit of gothic horror, and just a dash of Giallo. The result is something that looks and feels authentic, can be very bloody, has a solid story overall, and features a strong cast.

A cast led by the excellent Lauren LaVera. She plays novice art restorer Lisa Gray, sent to a small Italian village to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory after fire damage. A painting with a very dark history and one that may hold a curse. As Lisa uncovers the images under the soot, she begins to suffer from horrific nightmares, some related to her father (the late Giovanni Lombardo Radice).

It’s not just the painting though. Lisa is looking to prove herself and struggles to deal with pressure put on by the owner, Emma (Claudia Gerini), who is demanding that the job be done in a short amount of time. She claims it’s for an auction, but her intentions seem to be darker. What role does her daughter Guilia (Linda Zampaglione) have to play in all of this?

It’s all very mysterious. Except it’s not.

The Well isn’t coy, and while the motivations of Emma, the role of Guilia, and what they both have in mind for Lisa takes its time to come to fruition, everything else is gutted and laid bare for us all to view its grisly remains. Deep in the bowels of this house is a dungeon, one controlled by a violent beast and with victims who are systemically thrown in the well that sits in the centre of the room. Something wicked lives down there, and it is connected to the painting.

A violent and gory film, The Well’s commitment to delivering the red stuff is admirable, even if it often feels at odds with the supernatural and sinister story. Thankfully, both aspects come together to make sense, and allow even more blood to be spilled. If your squeamish, you won’t like a lot of what happens here. Especially as every moment comes with blood curdling screams and horrible cries of anguish. A lot of characters suffer here, and credit to the actors who do their best to make it feel so real.

Nobody is touching LaVera though, who turns in a wonderful performance as a quiet, yet powerful, figure. The journey she goes on in this film is what keeps you watching, and while there are annoying attempts to distract (I make the case that the character of Guilia is not needed), she commands the screen. It does help that her character is well defined though.

Shame about the ending though, right?