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Throughout October, horror fans will haul out their favorite scary stories to enjoy them all over again. But while some may prefer modern thrillers—or even classic slasher flicks—there’s nothing quite like the chilling tales of Edgar Allan Poe. And writer/director Adrian Langley offers his take on classic Poe in The Oval Portrait.
The Oval Portrait visits an antique shop that’s overflowing with items from days past. The shopkeeper, Ambrose Whitlock (Michael Swatton), keeps to himself, never leaving the shop, showing his items by appointment only. There’s one item in the shop that stands out from the rest—the lifelike portrait of a young woman in a beautiful oval frame. Though one thief after another tries to steal it, they always meet a horrible end. But when aspiring painter Ava (Pragya Shail) discovers the shop, her fascination with the enigmatic owner and his story could put her in danger.
After her first visit to this strange shop that seems lost in time, Ava begins researching its mysterious past—and the newlyweds who vanished from the building almost two centuries ago. The more she discovers, the more fascinated she becomes—and the more strange and troubling it all seems. As the young artist continues her search for answers, she’s haunted by a vengeful ghost who seems to be protective of the portrait. The ghost may not appear often (and, admittedly, she’s scariest when seen from a distance), but she definitely gives the film plenty of supernatural chills—and a jump scare or two, too.
Meanwhile, despite being set in the present day, most of the film was designed to feel like a classic thriller. The filmmakers paid careful attention to details—from the muted tones of the shop to the heavy, dramatic score to the serious and formal shopkeeper—to give it an eerie, haunting atmosphere. It isn’t flawless, but it’s enjoyably dark and moody and quiet—exactly what you’d expect from something inspired by Poe. But it’s not just the tone. While the story builds on Poe’s original short story, it still feels true to the author’s darkly haunting style. And if you aren’t familiar with the original story, you might not be able to tell where Poe ends and the adaptation begins.
Of course, if you prefer an action-packed horror flick, you may find this one dull. But if your scary movie tastes lean more toward moody, atmospheric classic thrillers than over-the-top slashers, this Poe-inspired ghost story is a worthwhile choice for your October viewing.
You can uncover the secrets of the portrait when The Oval Portrait arrives in select theaters and on demand on October 10, 2025.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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