AN UNQUIET GRAVE on Shudder is a new horror movie with a low budget and just two actors in the cast. Also, the runtime is just 1 hour and 12 minutes. All these elements are in its favor because they’ve utilized them all perfectly. From the effects to the small cast and sharp runtime, this movie just works.

Also, yes, the plot is familiar, and having watched several movies about bringing someone back from death, we all know it can’t end well. Spoiler alert; This doesn’t either. And yet, the ending of An Unquiet Grave is also part of what makes it work so well.

If you like the plot of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, then An Unquiet Grave is perfect for you. This movie is a lot more show and less tell. You’ll watch the story unfold and have to draw your own conclusion, but you’ll have plenty of help.

In An Unquiet Grave, we see a man who desperately wants his wife back. Standing at the grave with his sister-in-law (the identical twin of his deceased wife), he once again tries to ask for her help to perform a ritual. This ritual is meant to bring her back from the dead.

Of course, he isn’t quite honest with his sister-in-law about the outcome of this ritual. The movie is interesting from the beginning until the very end. Still, my favorite part is watching both these actors react to the events unfolding.



Sometimes less is more

Sure, An Unquiet Grave could have featured more characters in tiny roles. However, there is distinct power and intensity in having just two actors in this movie. You’re forced to relate only to them and quickly become attuned to their facial expressions. Simply put, Christine Nyland and Jacob A. Ware are perfectly cast in this movie.

Christine Nyland obviously gets something different to work with since she is both twin sisters in this movie. Also, she has to go through quite a lot as part of the ritual being performed. You may now Christine Nyland from the award-winning movie The Garden Left Behind (2019). I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before, but I look forward to seeing her in something again soon.

Meanwhile Jacob A. Ware plays the grieving widower, Jamie, who knows exactly what’s going on. Well, right until he doesn’t really anymore since he’s dealing with things that are out of this living world. I was so fascinated by the way pain (and brief relief) was painted all over the face of Jacob A. Ware. He has a perfect face for conveying complex emotions.

You may recognize Jacob A. Ware from one of his many guest-starring roles in bigger TV series such as Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Gotham, and FBI.

Watch An Unquiet Grave on Shudder!

The director of An Unquiet Grave is Terence Krey who also co-wrote the script along with one of the stars of the movie, Christine Nyland. This is the first feature film from Terence Krey who has made quite a few shorts and the web series Graves (2016-2018) which also stars Christine Nyland. The two clearly work really well together!

Actually, the other star of this new Shudder horror movie, Jacob A. Ware, was also in the Graves series, so they all know each other from this previous project.

Also, Terence Krey may just have started his career as a feature film writer and director, but he has more productions in the pipeline already. His next movie Distress Signals is currently in post-production. The thriller is once again written with Christine Nyland who is also attached as co-director and star.

Finally, they’ve co-written the horror movie Summoners which is in pre-production. Basically, if things go well with this Shudder release, we should have plenty more to look forward to from these two filmmakers. For now, check out An Unquiet Grave on Shudder and enjoy how extremely well a movie can work with just two actors and a good story.

An Unquiet Grave premieres on Shudder on June 24, 2021.