Starve Acre – A Haunting Tale of Grief and Folk Horror
What happens when grief opens the door to something ancient and terrifying?
Starve Acre, written and directed by Daniel Kokotajlo, is a chilling British folk horror film adapted from the acclaimed 2019 novel by award-winning author Andrew Michael Hurley.
Starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark, the film follows Richard and Juliette, a couple struggling to come to terms with a devastating loss at their isolated rural home.
As Juliette retreats further into her grief, Richard becomes increasingly obsessed with the folklore surrounding their land. His search for answers leads him to excavate the remains of an ancient oak tree, long believed to possess mysterious supernatural powers.
But what he uncovers threatens to unleash something far more disturbing, blurring the boundaries between the natural and supernatural, the living and the dead.
Rich in atmosphere and steeped in the unsettling traditions of British folk horror, Starve Acre explores the darker consequences of loss, belief and the desperate human desire to reconnect with those we have lost.
Join us at Illuminate Festival 2027 for a haunting cinematic experience that will linger long after the credits roll.
