Review: 'Relic' A Slow-Burn Film of Hauntings

There are many aged artifacts in this new Blu-ray movie release from Shout Factory. The items in an aging person's house are on constant display: Lamps, candles, and dated furniture are just some of them. And then there are the characters of "Relic," getting older in their own way whether it's from behaviors or physical appearances.

"Relic" comes from first-time director Natalie Erika James, who also wrote the film. Similar in its approach to 2018's horror hit "Hereditary," this film features a family with buried secrets - never a good thing.

The elderly Edna (Robyn Nevin) has been missing for a few days, causing daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) to go searching for her. The fragile woman eventually shows up at Edna's country home, with no explanation for where she's been.

Is Edna's onset of dementia to blame? Or are there spirits commanding Edna to behave strangely?

What starts as an atypical haunted house film ends up being a character study of a generation of women haunted by the past. The final 20 minutes of "Relic" are breathtaking and suspenseful for sure. But it's the quieter and slow-burning scenes that make the film successful.

The Shout Factory Blu-ray includes the trailer, along with the critically acclaimed movie.

"Relic" is out on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory on November 17, 2020.There are many aged artifacts in this new Blu-ray movie release from Shout Factory. The items in an aging person's house are on constant display: Lamps, candles, and dated furniture are just some of them. And then there are the characters of "Relic," getting older in their own way whether it's from behaviors or physical appearances.

"Relic" comes from first-time director Natalie Erika James, who also wrote the film. Similar in its approach to 2018's horror hit "Hereditary," this film features a family with buried secrets - never a good thing.

The elderly Edna (Robyn Nevin) has been missing for a few days, causing daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) to go searching for her. The fragile woman eventually shows up at Edna's country home, with no explanation for where she's been.

Is Edna's onset of dementia to blame? Or are there spirits commanding Edna to behave strangely?

What starts as an atypical haunted house film ends up being a character study of a generation of women haunted by the past. The final 20 minutes of "Relic" are breathtaking and suspenseful for sure. But it's the quieter and slow-burning scenes that make the film successful.

The Shout Factory Blu-ray includes the trailer, along with the critically acclaimed movie.

"Relic" is out on Blu-ray from Shout! Factory on November 17, 2020.