Sundance Folk Horror 'Rabbit Trap' Divides Critics with Style Over Substance

Bryn Chainey's debut film offers striking visuals and strong performances but struggles with a convoluted narrative and slow pacing.

Rabbit Trap, set in 1976 Wales, follows a couple whose lives are upended by a mysterious child tied to local folklore.
Critics praised Jade Croot's standout performance as the unsettling, ageless child who blends innocence with menace.
Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen deliver strong performances, though their characters lack depth, limiting emotional impact.
The film's atmospheric sound design and visuals immerse viewers but are overshadowed by a fragmented and slow-moving plot.
While exploring themes of trauma and folklore, Rabbit Trap's ambiguous storytelling leaves many viewers unsatisfied.