Why Kasi Lemmons’ Eve's Bayou is a Must-Watch for any Gothic Horror Fanatic

Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou is an accurate representation of a Gothic Horror film done correctly. The film surely does an excellent job with audio and beautiful yet distorted shots of greenery and flashbacks from Mozelle. I think what the film lacks is an explanation of why Mozelle and her sister: Roz. I found the film to be confusing at times because I did not understand why or how the sisters were able to gain flashbacks of an unforeseen future. Besides the times when I was confused, I found the most outstanding character in the movie to be Eve. I thought she was a very resourceful yet outgoing character for the film. Eve offered a fresh perspective and a sense of purity for the film. I really enjoyed her character growth throughout the film also. One line I found particularly interesting from Eve was when she said, “Which one did you love best?” to Mozelle. I think this scene in the film is so pure because it shows how little yet how mature Eve is as a child. I think Eve being able to understand a concept like love truly shows how mature she is for her age. I think love is a very hard concept to grasp for children because there are so many types of love. Likewise, Mozelle tells Eve, “I don't know, Eve. They was all different. Anderson was the handsomest man I had ever seen. Your Uncle Harry, he was the sweetest. And Maynard....Maynard loved me most of all. You know, when I was your age, before I ever did the counseling, I could look at people, complete strangers, and see their whole lives so clearly. But when I looked at each of my husbands, I never saw a thing. That's how it always is. Blind to my own life.” I think that Mozelle explaining love to Eve really shows how Mozelle has experienced a love that she did not understand herself fully. I think Mozella further is the character or wisdom throughout the entire film because she always explains an idea or helps offer comfort to people in her job as a Psychic. I further believe that Mozelle being a Psychic shows another aspect of the unknown for the film. I think Mozelle’s profession brings a more gothic horror aspect to the film. I also like how her flashbacks are presented in black and white; however, I think the entirety of the film should be in black and white to offer a more gothic taste. I think the music accompanied by the flashbacks offers a more gothic style to the movie as well. I think that there are aspects I wish I could change about the film, but the film proves to be an excellent representation of a gothic horror film done correctly due to its sharp filming, black and white flashbacks, and ominous choice of music for the film. However, the ending of the film made me upset because I did not get the closure I was looking for in a gothic horror film. I wanted to see what happens to Eve and her family but was left looking for more in the film. I think if you are in the mood for a gothic horror film that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Eve’s Bayou is the film for you.