The Ones Who Grieve – Movie Review | Fantastic Fest (4/5)

THE ONES WHO GRIEVE (org. title: Les Âmes en peine) is a French period horror-drama getting its North American premiere at 2026 Fantastic Fest. Whatever you may expect, this is more and better. It certainly was for me. The entire world-building is so simple, yet so very brutal and strangely relatable. Read our full The Ones Who Grieve movie review here!

THE ONES WHO GRIEVE is a genre production from France (org. title: Les Âmes en peine). Specifically, it’s a period horror-drama that manages to highlight so many of the horrors of the past. From the power of money and gender to the horrors of religion and how nations dealt with disease. Also, contrary to what the title indicates, this isn’t a grief or trauma story.

Or rather, it’s about experiencing the events that will lead to grief and life-altering trauma. Often, the horror-dramas about grief deal with the aftermath rather than the events leading to it. This one covers the brutal horror of those events. It’s bold, relentless, and absolutely terrifying. And now it will get its North American premiere at Fantastic Fest.

Continue reading our The Ones Who Grieve movie review below.

The horror of the late 19th century

The Ones Who Grieve is set in the French countryside, but not in the present. This is, after all, a period piece, so we’re at the end of the 19th century. That means women, poor people, and anyone disabled in any way have no real say. Not about the world at large nor about their own lives.

Especially not if you’re a woman living under Jacob’s roof. He is a deeply religious man who has a real problem practising what he preaches. Then again, isn’t that always the way it goes?! It will become ever more apparent as the story evolves. He may see himself as the hand of God, but to everyone else he is doing the work of the Devil.

He works as a soul keeper, which means he has a task meant to help those afflicted by a mysterious illness. It’s something that makes one’s eyes go dark, then your mind starts slipping, and ultimately, people turn into a kind of zombie.

This isn’t a zombie movie, but on the other hand, it does have elements of zombie movies.

His “help” includes sewing shut the eyes and mouth of those afflicted. Oh, he does remove their teeth first, though, and then he imprisons them behind a wooden mask. As a result, the people will starve to death, and can’t even chew off their own tongue if they wanted. All this torment to supposedly save their souls.

And then there’s his daughter, Zélie, who is becoming a young woman and is far from thriving under his tyrannical rule. She dreams of freedom and doing good in the world, but Jacob only sees the world as something bad. In a move to control Zélie further, he sells her beloved horse, Thunder.

Elevated Period Horror Drama

That was not a good idea as her resentment reaches new heights. For the first time, she goes directly against his wishes and demands when she hides an infected soldier in the family barn. And no, this isn’t about to turn into something steamy… the man is barely alive, which is why she defies her father and takes pity on the human.

After Zélie is assaulted by a neighbor, Jacob’s delusions deepen. Convinced she has sinned, he brutally mutilates her before deciding the only way to keep her “safe” is to keep her for himself. But Zélie has finally reached her limit. When an opportunity presents itself, she seizes it and turns the tables on her father.

As a whole, The Ones Who Grieve has elements of elevated horror, as it’s character-driven and doesn’t rely on the traditional (B-movie and slasher) tricks of old-school horror.

Oh yes, The Ones Who Grieve is both “elevated” and “period” along with “horror” and “drama”. If the combination of these words makes you roll your eyes and assume it’s not for you, then you’re probably right. If, on the other hand, you’re ready to challenge yourself and take in pure dread and horror, then The Ones Who Grieve could be an amazing experience for you.

The Ones Who Grieve screens at Fantastic Fest 2026

The Ones Who Grieve (org. title: Les Âmes en peine) comes from director Quarxx. He also wrote the screenplay alongside Frederic Soulier. If you’ve watched the previous movie by filmmaker Quarxx, then you will have an idea of what to expect. A warning, even, if you will. Quarxx does not hold back when it comes to showing the most depraved and sinister sides of human nature.

Forget all about science fiction or dark fairy tales; in his movies, man is the most vile and dangerous creature. On the plus side, we also get to see the opposite in the characters that portray the best of humanity. Those who try to help – and maybe even survive?!

Starring in The Ones Who Grieve are Thierry Frémont as Jacob and Zélia Rixhon as Zélie. Both deliver stellar performances as you wish Jacob pure hell, and want Zélie to make this happen. Also in the cast are Isabelle Anciaux and Jean-Baptiste Maunier. Don’t worry, as much pain as the storyline brings, there are also some downright “feel-good” moments. Well, I felt good, anyway.

This treat of a horror drama comes from Transgressive Production and Kali Pictures. The film is currently seeking distribution, and I hope IFC will consider it, as their partner Shudder would surely be a perfect fit. Maybe after a short theatrical run in select theaters. Oddly, this movie has enough current relevance; it could work.

The Ones Who Grieve will have its North American premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 18, 2026.

Details

Director: Quarxx
Cast: Thierry Frémont, Zélie Rixhon, Isabelle Anciaux, Jean-Baptiste Maunier