Grief. A process that everyone goes through at multiple points during their life. People confront their grief through various means, whether through mourning or memorializing them. There are, however, darker sides to the grieving process. This aspect is explored in David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds,” the latest film from the body horror pioneer, which premiered in-competition at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. I recently watched “The Shrouds” with my partner, and it is an enthralling viewing.
“The Shrouds” follows Karsh (Vincent Cassel) who operates a cemetery that takes a disturbing approach to the burial process. Housed in these graves are burial shrouds encompassing the corpses, with cameras constantly capturing the decomposition of the remains — giving mourners and family members the opportunity to view the bodies of their loved ones. At this very cemetery resides the grave of Becca, Karsh’s wife, which he constantly examines with his cameras. Terry (Diane Kruger), Becca’s sister, is disturbed by this. One day, Karsh is sent footage of the cemetery being vandalized, which sends him down a rabbit hole. At points, Karsh is assisted by Maury (Guy Pearce), Terry’s ex-husband. During all of this, Karsh begins talking to Soo-Min (Sandrine Holt) a blind woman who he develops a relationship with.
As Karsh, Vincent Cassel gives a great leading performance. Cassel, who previously worked with Cronenberg on the 2007 gangster film, “Eastern Promises,” immerses himself in this disturbed character through his portrayal, at times showcasing rage during times of betrayal.
Diane Kruger delivers an excellent dual performance as Terry and Becca. Kruger also provides the voice for Hunny, an avatar that has an uncanny resemblance to Becca which Karsh relies on in his daily life. Examples of Kruger’s great performance include a sequence involving her and Karsh, where disturbing aspects of Terry’s character emerge.
In his latest film, writer-director David Cronenberg examines the darker side of the human psyche. Made in response to the death of his own wife, Cronenberg explores the darker side of grief through the obsessive nature of Karsh. This includes several scenes in the second half of the film that had both me and my partner covering our mouths in shock with the disturbing dialogue that Cronenberg writes with his pen — along with visuals that add to the dark nature of the film, with aspects of body horror showcased through Becca’s own amputations featured in flashbacks.
Cinematographer Douglas Koch, who previously collaborated with Cronenberg on “Crimes of the Future,” captures several great shots, including wide shots of the cemetery — with the graves looming like monoliths in the grass.
In his latest film “The Shrouds,” David Cronenberg examines the darker side of grief, with a storyline that tackles the darker side of the grieving process. With aspects of the body horror genre shining through, Cronenberg delivers an intriguing film that isn’t afraid to tackle uncomfortable topics and themes.
A film that dives deep into the disturbing aspects of the human psyche, shrouded in depravity.
“The Shrouds” is available for streaming on The Criterion Channel and is also available for purchase on Blu-ray from Criterion Premieres.
