The Well

Iperuranio Film

Director: Federico Zampaglione

Writer: Federico Zampaglione

Cast: Lauren LaVera (‘Terrifier 2’),  Claudia Gerini, Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Taylor Zaudtke, Linda Zampaglione, Jonathan Dylan King, Lorenzo Renzi, Gianluigi Calvani, Yassine Fadel, Melanie Gaydos, Stefano Martinelli and newcomer Courage Oviawe

Opens: Los Angeles Premiere Thursday, October 12 at 9:00pm PT at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre during Screamfest Horror Film Festival L.A. 2023

Screened at: Critics Screening Link, New York, 10/9/23

Restoring an antique back to its former grandeur is often a sure means for ambitious creative people to claim their own glory. Up-and-coming scream queen Lauren LaVera, who garnered widespread recognition last year with her performance as the protagonist in the acclaimed slasher sequel, ‘Terrifier 2,’ is furthering proving her brilliance in her latest horror movie, ‘The Well.’ Like her previous character, the actress’ latest protagonist, novice art restorer Lisa Gray, is also placed in danger by an evil curse and a monster born of myth and brutal pain.

Italian filmmaker Federico Zampaglione wrote, directed and produced ‘The Well.’ The filmmaker’s new supernatural horror movie will have its North American Premiere at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival tonight, Thursday, October 12, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The drama’s L.A. screening at Screamfest comes after it had its World Premiere this past Saturday, October 7 at the Sitges Film Festival.

‘The Well’ follows Lisa as she travels to a small Italian village at the request of her father, who’s unable to make the trip. Her father, who runs a restoration company, has received a request to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory after it sustained fire damage. So he sends his daughter in his place to the estate of a duchess and her troubled teen daughter, who have the painting in their possession, to prove her talent.

Upon her arrival, Lisa is unaware that she’s placing her life in danger by accepting and staying on the job. She initially becomes wary about her new circumstances after a group of fellow tourists she befriended during her trip to the estate fail to show up to meet her as they promised. Lisa also grows suspicious when the duchess’ daughter warns her about an evil curse that’s allegedly linked to the centuries-old painting.

As a result, Lisa begins to seeks comfort from the owner of a local pub, whom she met when she first arrived in the village. However, that reassurance only goes so far as she begins having nightmares about a monster born of myth that’s causing her brutal physical pain in the real world – and to start questioning whether she knows what truly real anymore.

Zampaglione embraced his origin as a scribe and helmer in the horror genre while developing the seductive mythical lore of ‘The Well.’ The filmmaker crafted a visually striking and emotionally gripping supernatural movie that can easily pass as though it was lifted from the pages of a grueling graphic novel.

‘The Well’s eerie setting is established by the ravishing production design of the duchess’ mansion and surrounding property, where the majority of the story takes place. The unsettling location helps build the tension of the increasing emotional journey Lisa embarks on once she arrives in the village to begin her work.

The drama’s standout location is the elegantly decorated sitting room where the brooding painting that the protagonist is tasked with restoring hangs. The artwork, which is dark in both color and theme, menacingly looms over both the room and Lisa’s emotional and physical well-being.

The room is decorated with sophisticated furniture and a welcoming fireplace, which gives its guests, including Lisa, an initial false sense of security. That feeling of safety is quickly dismantled when the sensitive, but equally motivated, protagonist is exposed to a shocking world of terror in her dreams.

The area surrounding the painting, which is originally presented as a beautiful sanctuary that allows Lisa to prove her worth as an art restorer, subtly morphs into her worst nightmare. She begins to envision a grotesque monster that embeds the space in a literal – and emotional – darkness that’s ravished in blood.

As the protagonist contends with the terrifying grimness of what was mean to be a career-defining project but has quickly morphed into her worst nightmare, LaVera once again proves herself to be the next scream queen to watch. The up-and-coming horror icon emotes a fierce, bold performance as Lisa, who initially starts her latest job determined to prove herself to both her father and their client. The actress also demonstrates that her character’s encounter with not only the assertive duchess, but also her increasingly menacing nightmares, completely alters her mindset and outlook on life.

‘The Well’ is a powerful exploration into, and reflection on, how people’s determination to obtain and maintain their glory can ultimately put them in danger and cause them brutal pain. That contemplative, thought-provoking message is highlighted in part by the movie’s stunning production design.

The visually captivating location helps build the tension of the increasing emotional journey Lisa embarks on once she arrives in the village to begin her work. LaVera is once again proving herself to be this decade’s novice scream queen, as she effortlessly connects with the fierce, bold performance as the frightened protagonist in her latest terrifying horror film.

Technical: B+

Acting: B+

Story: B-

Overall: B+