The Seeding is a 2023 American survival thriller film in which a man finds himself trapped in a desert canyon with a woman living off-grid who is captive to a pack of sadistic boys.
Written and directed by Barnaby Clay [as Barney Clay]. Produced by Brian R. Etting and Josh H. Etting.
The Unbranded Pictures production stars Scott Haze, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alex Montaldo, Charlie Avink, Thatcher Jacobs, Harrison Middleton, Michael Monsour, Soko and Aarman Touré.
Reviews:
“The Seeding is an unsettling movie in every sense of the word, and while its threadbare plotting may put some viewers off, there’s no denying that the film is beyond eerie enough to crawl under most viewers’ skin. Indeed, Barney Clay’s movie thrives in its simplicity — something that can not often be said about horror movies these days.” ★★★½ Disappointment Media
“Not everything here makes logical sense, at least over time. There is a desperate precarity about it – and yet many people eke out precarious existences. In a vast land full of hidden places, stranger things have happened. Furthermore, this is a story that operates at a level where logic is less necessary, tapping into primal themes, and digging its roots into the viewer’s psyche.” ★★★★½ Eye for Film
“Director Barnaby Clay […] drags us headfirst into the rotten, decaying underbelly of a distinct space in the California desert. It might be tempting to categorize how the rest of the film unfolds as a fever dream. For the most part, it is one but also an unsavory, terrifying reminder of the horrors of isolation.” High on Films
“This is a film that assaults the senses on a primal level and its content is sure to stir up controversy and conversation […] In The Seeding Barnaby Clay delves into some taboo arenas, thrusting them on screen in a bold and challenging way. Those that accept the gauntlet of traumatic imagery will be forever changed as this is one story that clings to your very soul long after viewing.” ★★★★ The Hollywood News
” …The Seeding feels like the best elements of 1970s horror with present-day themes and technical aspects, exploring universal motifs with otherworldly riddles. Clay invests the film with tantalizing facets involving ritual and tradition left open to viewer conjecture. Cinematographer Robert Leitzell captures the dynamic landscape and the claustrophobic circumstances beautifully.” Horror Fuel
“Sheil and Haze are exceptional, and the kids […] at the edge of the crater are properly menacing. It has a terrific Tristan Bechet score and is Robert Leitzell’s cinematography makes the most of the stark landscape – but I’m not sure whether it’s an art film riff on back-of-beyond horror subject or a cannibal mutant desert picture told in the style of a non-Midnight Movie Sundance entry.” The Kim Newman Web Site
“While the film successfully builds a disquieting ambiance and explores the intricacies of human relationships, it left me yearning for a more fulfilling resolution. Nonetheless, for fans of slow-burn horror and those who appreciate a thought-provoking experience, The Seeding offers a glimpse into a world where evil dwells in the shadows, waiting to pounce on its unsuspecting victims.” 69% Nightmare on Film Street
“The scenes of violence are well-executed, but many of them are too long and make the rest of the film lag. There are elements of folk horror, mythological imagery, and allusions to classics like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, but they only exist as background noise. Despite its shortcomings, The Seeding is an engaging film that will keep you on edge throughout…” Nightmarish Conjurings
“Approaching familiar territory with a subversive spin and a pessimistic look at humanity, Clay uses the 100-minute runtime to lure viewers into the proceedings before closing the grip and threatening to squeeze the light out of viewers. A key line shared is how “Nothing in the desert is wasted”, something which effectively reflects how each minute of this tremendous film feels vital.” ★★★★ The Reviewing Rodders
“Overall, this is a solid slow-burn thriller, with a thematically resonant conclusion. Haze and Sheil are compelling leads, but the supporting feral boys are a bit roughly portrayed… if they were old enough to have mustaches they would be twirling them. There are three or four big wow moments that grab your attention, but you will need patience with this film.” The Scariest Things
” …don’t expect much in the way of scares from The Seeding, Clay is more interested in creating a sense of unease and discomfort rather than fear and terror And for the most part he succeeds even if the results are closer to dark drama than horror. While it suffers from the lack of a strong antagonist, and a likeable protagonist for that matter, much of The Seeding does work…” ★★★ Voices from the Balcony
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Release:
The Seeding had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023. It was also shown at the 2023 FrightFest in London on August 27, 2023.
The Seeding will be available to own or rent in the UK and Ireland from 12th February via Amazon, AppleTV, Google, Sky Store and Virgin Media Store.
In the US, Magnet Releasing will release The Seeding theatrically in select locations and on PVOD on January 26, 2024.
Background:
Writer-director Barnaby Clay: “The film has been gestating for a long time, so it’s thrilling for people to finally get to experience it. I say ‘experience’ because I set out to make The Seeding as immersive as possible. It’s not a film to feel removed from, it’s an experience that drags you though the sand, the heat, the decay, and also natural beauty of the world it takes place in.
I had a similar feeling watching certain films from the ’70s, mostly from Australia; Walkabout, Picnic At Hanging Rock, Wake in Fright – I left these movies sunburnt and destroyed.”
I was also struck by films from the same period such as Deliverance, that expose the male psyche in its most primal reactive form. Who knows how you’d react under a similar set of circumstances, I probably wouldn’t fare too well.”
Technical specs:
1 hour 34 minutes
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