If you like slow burners, then this movie is a perfect choice for you.

The wave of slow burners, horror films that lack plot dynamics and revel in their own leisurely pace, savoring the sinister process of a person being consumed by their own fear, shows no signs of abating.

The Witch, It Comes at Night, and Hereditary set the tone and became hits, but one of the most worthy examples of the genre has gone largely unnoticed, despite being released four years ago – Relic. The movie now has an impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and is a slow-burner that every fan of the genre should see.

What is Relic About?

After learning that her grandmother, who suffers from dementia, has not been home for several days, Kay takes her daughter Sam to drive to the outskirts of town to visit their relative. The cottage is completely silent and there are notes stuck on everything so that old Edna doesn’t forget to turn off the water or close the door.

After a few uncomfortable days, the missing woman returns. Edna answers all questions about her absence in an indirect manner, as if she were hiding something. But the most alarming sign is a bruise on her chest.

Relic is Both Terrifying Horror & Heartbreaking Drama

Most horror films about family problems are not in danger of losing their relevance: all these films talk about us, about our fears, and therefore try to give answers to eternally frightening questions. Relic, which tells the story of a sick grandmother who is cared for by her daughter and granddaughter, seems to be a typical representative of the genre.

A strange old woman, rustling noises in the house, nightmares in reality – director Natalie Erika James borrows horror plot formulas, but her work with the idea itself makes this movie so heavy that it is unlikely that there will be viewers who ever want to see Relic a second time. What makes Relic unique, however, is that it mixes fear and melancholy in equal measure, taking the viewer down paths that other horror films don’t dare tread.

And a piercing ending that reflects on the main problem of the movie – what to do when your loved one is slowly dying – will make even the most seasoned viewer cry.

At the same time, Relic is the kind of movie that makes you call your closest people and tell them how much you love them. And that is worth something.