Without Name

An eco-horror curiosity that defies not only genre expectations, but any discernible sense of purpose, too.

If the narrative ultimately seems thin, not to mention somewhat familiar and formulaic, the quiet menace of an ancient natural world under threat is nicely modulated.

When genre fans say "beware the 15A horror film", they're not talking about the scare quotient, but they could be talking about this film.

Without Name is less a story and more an experience, and while its unfocused style of reality warping may make a little difficult to focus on, it also allows you to just sit back and experience the ride.

Finnegan is clearly a filmmaker of tremendous capacity and vision, and even when [Without Name] doesn't entirely work, he doesn't fail in teasing the promise of his visionary talent.

Finnegan creates intriguing atmospheres, but he should aim for a stronger narrative next time.

A bold new Irish talent has been unearthed.

There is no blood and guts here, but in terms of doom you can fill your boots. The casting is excellent; it's beautifully shot by Piers McGrail and the sound team should also sleep the sleep of the gifted.

Fans of Altered States, The Wicker Man and The Witch will enjoy Finnegan's psychedelic montages, Eric's descent into madness, and the forest's meditative unease.

Makes up for its occasional heavy tread with outstanding photography.

Through disorienting pull focuses & the hallucinatory play of light & shadow on tree trunks, Lorcan conjures the suggestion of a pagan presence in this eerily numinous maze of branches, & lets the viewer, along with Eric, become lost in the woods.

Without Name is almost without character as well, but Lorcan Finnegan wrangles enough creepy woodland shots to keep this softer genre flick drenched in intrigue.