Went Up The Hill (2024) Film Review – When Unwillingness Binds the Living and the Dead

 

Went Up The Hill | 2024 | 1h 40m
Genre: Fantasy/Horror/Romance/Thriller | Country: Australia – New Zealand
Director: Samuel Van Grinsven | Writers: Jory Anast, Samuel Van Grinsven
Cast: Vicky Krieps, Sarah Peirse, Joel Tobeck
IMDB: 5.4
My Rate: 7/10

Jack’s arrival at Elizabeth’s funeral instead drags him and Jill—his mother’s lover—into the terror of a spirit who is not yet willing to leave them.

Warning:

Sensual scenes, nudity, alcohol, violence, harsh language, and suicide

 

Synopsis:

Jack comes to his mother’s, Elizabeth, funeral, even though his presence is met with questions and rejection from her family. He comes at the request of Jill, Elizabeth’s lover, who feels she never truly contacted him.

Not long after, Jack and Jill realize that Elizabeth’s spirit has not fully moved on. She possesses them alternately to communicate and to maintain the unfinished attachment. The shocking truth is that the call Jack received actually came from Jill while she was being possessed by the spirit.

Jack uses that chance to search for answers about why he was abandoned. Jill also wants to understand Elizabeth’s decision to end her life and leave her behind. But the deeper they dig, the more Elizabeth’s manipulative and abusive side resurfaces, making both of them start questioning whether her presence is truly something they need.

Will Elizabeth finally let them go and allow them to live their own lives?

 

Review:

Losing someone we love is never easy to accept. Their presence, even in the form of a spirit, often becomes a way to delay the pain that should be faced. Went Up The Hill by Samuel Van Grinsven presents a portrait of that unwillingness, not only from the ones left behind, but also from the one who left. That reluctance feels like a bond—pulling them back together while at the same time distancing them from reality.

The film’s story idea blends grief, guilt, and trauma with supernatural elements that deepen the psychological conflict of its characters. The symbolism of being unable to let go feels strong and relevant.

The foundation of the story is built clearly through Liz’s sudden death, reopening old wounds about the meaning of “being left” and “being ignored.” Characters like Jack, Jill, and Helen are introduced naturally without excessive dramatization. Their backgrounds are not explored too deeply, but it is enough to support the developing conflict.

The conflict in Went Up The Hill moves more within the internal realm—about how they deal with feelings regarding the past, present, and future. Liz possessing them alternately creates a delayed sense of loss and sustained guilt. The tension does not explode dramatically, but instead arrives cold, slow, and piercing.

The resolution shows fairly clear character development. Their eyes slowly open to the dark side they had long ignored. However, the final scene feels slightly less satisfying.

⚠️ Spoiler Alert. The final scene, which should feel powerful, loses a bit of its impact due to a less convincing location choice. Emotionally, their decision to walk separate paths is fitting, but the farewell feels less logical if it is not rooted in a space that holds meaning for their relationship—such as the house that has long been the center of conflict.

In addition, the rules regarding the possession process begin to appear inconsistent. At the beginning, Liz can only possess one of them when both are asleep, but toward the end that requirement no longer applies, reducing the logical strength that had previously been established.

From a cinematic standpoint, this film looks stunning. The transitions, color combinations, and music choices align with the gloomy tone being built. The performances also feel natural and not overdone. Even so, the decision not to visually present Liz might be a double-edged sword, as it slightly reduces the audience’s emotional closeness to the ongoing conflict.

Overall, Went Up The Hill is a supernatural psychological drama that raises themes of grief and unwillingness with a quiet yet striking approach. Despite some inconsistencies in execution and logical details, the film still leaves an impression through its cold atmosphere and strong inner conflicts. For viewers who enjoy films about trauma, loss, and the process of letting go, Went Up The Hill offers an experience that is not loud, but slowly lingers after the credits roll.

 

Impressive Scene:

One of the most impressive scenes in Went Up The Hill is when Jack and Jill try to let go of their memories of Elizabeth. They sit together and sink into each other’s embrace. The realization feels like a hard blow, tearing down the illusion of “love” that had long covered Elizabeth’s dark and manipulative side.

This scene feels very close to reality, especially for those who struggle to leave a toxic relationship. Not because they are unaware of the wounds, but because hope keeps being attached to an illusion—that someone will change, that everything was unintentional, that it was all done for the greater good. In reality, that illusion slowly destroys from within.

 

Impressive Dialogue:

“Whatever you think you’re going to find here. It’s not here.”

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

(Aluna)