‘Three students went looking for the wrong legend’
Duyster is a 2021 Belgian found-footage horror film about three students who make a documentary about Antwerp’s 17th-century executioner.
Directed by Jordi Ostir and Thomas Vanbrabant from a screenplay by the latter.
The movie stars Maïmouna Badjie, Tristan Feyten, Charles De Meester, Louise Bergez, Sven De Ridder, Stefaan Degand, Ellen Baetens, Pascal Maetens and Margaux Vandecasteele.
Reviews:
” …Duyster is a solid example of the found footage genre with some good moments and a fairly intense last act that would have been even better if the ending was in doubt. Those on the fence about seeing it may be relieved to know there isn’t a lot of headache-inducing shaky cam footage to deal with.” ***1/2 out of ***** Voices from the Balcony
” …this admirably plucky but uneven film feels like the filmmakers were trying to split the difference between offering audiences something familiar, and tentatively introducing their own more original ideas. Not until the final third does Duyster lean into its strongest aspects, focusing on the lore surrounding the executioner and a confident and likable performance by leading lady Maïmouna Badjie.” 4.5/10 Wicked Horror
Release:
Duyster premiered at the Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival in Belgium on October 30, 2021. It has its US premiere on April 1, 2022, as part of the Buried Alive Film Festival in Atlanta.
Duyster will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the Netherlands on May 18, 2022.
Cast and characters:
Maïmouna Badjie … Nora Danso
Tristan Feyten … Bas Lauwer
Charles De Meester … Milan Avonds
Louise Bergez … Rita Gabriel
Sven De Ridder … Stijn De Molen
Stefaan Degand … Corneel Smolarek
Ellen Baetens … Amber Boets
Pascal Maetens … Professor Marnix Messiaen
Margaux Vandecasteele … Jacqueline Verbist
Julian De Backer … Jan Cleyn
Lisa Lefever … Lea Lefever
Lore Lefever … Reception TCM
Charlotte Vanderdonck … Stephanie Verbis
Wim Tijskens … Bartender
Technical details:
1 hour 21 minutes
Trailer:
