Of all the horror sub-genres out there one that has to be the absolute hardest to nail down in a coherent or successful way would be dream-like horror. When people discuss their nightmares most of the horror comes from a perfect mix of disturbing visuals/ scenarios and the nonsensical dream logic. What makes it scary is the confusion factor of a horror event without logic, like when you turn the corner and run into someone you don’t expect and your mind grapples to make sense of what is happening. The Shepherd starts off as a fairly straightforward film but slowly begins to unravel as the protagonist, as well as the audience, have to constantly question what is real and what is not.

Losing a spouse is not something that anyone can deal with easily and for Eric, it has been nearly impossible. In a desperate move to put himself as far away from the realities of his current life as possible, he accepts the job of being a shepherd to a flock of sheep on a deserted island. The job is simple enough and the isolation isn’t so bad, especially with his dog with him, but as the days go on he starts to notice strange things. Vivid nightmares, mysterious rocks, a teacup that keeps refilling itself, and what starts off as strange phenomena soon becomes a fight for his life as he becomes more certain that something is stalking him.

If there is one thing that Sheperd is proud of, and rightfully so, is its filming location. Shot on a gorgeous European island, every shot is dripping with an atmosphere that makes you feel alone and damp which gives the film an incredibly immersive experience. Every scene also feels perfectly woven together to give the island a massive scope, and a very grand feeling, all the while coming across as small and claustrophobic as Eric’s isolation becomes more and more prevalent.

Where things start to fall apart though is when Shepherd tries to bend reality to give the island and the events of the movie a supernatural/ otherworldly feel. Many events through the course of the film that have Eric start to question his sanity or his grip on reality feel very out of nowhere and often come across as abstract for abstract sake. Another film that shares this movie’s tone is Shutter Island but where the mystery and dream logic works because every strange thing serves a purpose to the story and can be directly addressed when the conclusion is realized.

In most movies to catch the audience’s attention, all it takes is one hook. In terms of most horror movies, it is the kills, the killer, the actors, or the scenario, but sometimes that can even include the location it is set. Sheperd‘s location alone is enough to at least catch many people’s attention, and with the mysterious horror that is at foot, it is going to keep those people entertained. All that is missing is a coherent narrative to hang all the esthetic on and it would be a great movie and not just an ok one.

6 out of 10