Citadel (2012)

An agoraphobic father teams up with a renegade priest to save his daughter from the clutches of a gang of twisted feral children who committed an act of violence against his family years earlier.

Director:

Ciarán Foy (as Ciaran Foy)

Writer:

Ciarán Foy (as Ciaran Foy)

Stars:

Aneurin Barnard, James Cosmo, Wunmi Mosaku

11 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Aneurin Barnard	...	Tommy
James Cosmo	...	Priest
Wunmi Mosaku	...	Marie
Amy Shiels	...	Joanne
Ian Hanmore	...	Council Office Clerk
Ingrid Craigie	...	Dr. Kelly
Pete Murphy	...	Paramedic
Jake Wilson	...	Danny
Chris Hegarty	...	Feral Child
Matthew Workman	...	Feral Child chained
Scott Mckenzie	...	Paramedic / Doctor
Harry Saunders	...	Elsa
Grant Morrison	...	Taxi Driver
Arlowe Saunders	...	Elsa
Keith Hutcheson	...	Bus Driver

Storyline

Tommy Cowley is a young father inflicted with chronic agoraphobia since his wife was brutally attacked by a gang of a twisted feral children. Trapped in the dilapidated suburbia of Edenstown, he finds himself terrorised by the same gang, who now seem intent on taking his baby daughter. Torn between the help of an understanding nurse and a vigilante priest, Tommy sets out to learn the nightmarish truth surrounding these hooded children. He also discovers that to be free of his fears, he must finally face the demons of his past and enter the one place that he fears the most - the abandoned tower block known as the Citadel.

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Plot Keywords:

fear | baby | agoraphobia | condemned building | slums | 

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Taglines:

They see your fear

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing violent content, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 March 2013 (UK)

Also Known As:

Citadela

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,715, 11 November 2012

Gross USA:

$13,377

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$141,886

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blinder Films, Screen Ireland, Sigma Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ciarán Foy listened almost exclusively to music by tomandandy while writing the screenplay. They wound up composing the score for the movie.

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Goofs

When Tommy leaves his home near the start of the film to take the baby to the centre, by his front door there is a phone base with no phone, when he returns later there is a phone in the cradle.

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Soundtracks

Love is in Him
Written by Ann Scott
Performed by Ann Scott
Courtesy of Raghouse Records

User Reviews

Makes Attack The Block Look Like a Hallmark Afternoon Special

I was teetering between 6 and 7 here, and settled on the latter because this IS a genuinely scary and disturbing film. We've definitely had a shortage of that lately in this genre - so it was nice to have some moments where, even at 39 years-old, I felt a little uneasy.

"Citadel" has many strengths and a few weaknesses. I'll touch on a bit of each while trying not to give too much away from what is a basic storyline. Now, it didn't have to be basic.

I think where the film misses is diving a bit further into the villains of this frightening tale. The back-story there is a bit vague to say the least, and the rest of the story doesn't do much to clear it up.

I'm sure that the budget constraints limited the production in certain ways, BUT I think all involved deserve more kudo's than criticism. After all, the intent with these types of films is to scare, and this is as "uncomfortable" as I've been watching a film in quite some time.

Think of a darker, scarier spin on Harry Brown. "Citadel" actually borrows quite a bit from "Harry Brown".

The film is extremely brooding - never really stepping into the light for more than a few seconds. I think it's definitely a strength. The film does have it's own sense of Style.

You have the feeling during this film that you are completely alone. There is no help coming, and you'll have to fend for yourself.

The film is without question under-rated at present on IMDb. I pulled up the rating on my phone after renting it from the redbox, and due to time, I nearly put-off watching it altogether. Glad I fit it in. I've seen 62 films from 2012 so far, and this is definitely in the top 20 for now. It's one of the better entries into the horror genre over the last few years, and could have been incredible if they would have just finished the film.

The ending needed a bit more carnage and revenge to put this over-the-top into the "true-gem-of-a-sleeper" category. They were so close... literally a few heads being axed-off and an explosion away from sheer low-budget glory, and a 9 ranking. Why do I get the feeling we'll see an American version of this that spends 10 times the money but has no sense of style or scare value?

The acting is way above average for this type of thing, and it's that acting and the mood that keeps it afloat. The lead and the priest are great. There are only 4 speaking roles in the whole film! 4! Rather than nit-pick the plot and the ending(which are easy targets) - let's step back and enjoy some of the strong characteristics of this film.

You might like this if you liked:Candyman(better), Winter's Bone(better),The Road(about even or ever-so-slightly better), Eden Lake(about even or ever-so slightly better), The People Under The Stairs(even), and The Brood(even).

If you want a sleeper horror film to rent - it's usually a dangerous proposition. That's one of the many reasons why I can recommend this one. Far from perfect, but boy this little low-budget Irish entry packs quite an uneasy punch.

67/100