Once again, it’s thanks to Mike Flanagan and his podcast, Director’s Commentary, for introducing me to a film that I may have missed out on. The Vigil is a wonderful little horror film that has a quick runtime of ninety minutes, and uses every one of those to tell an engaging and spooky story.

Yakov (Dave Davis) has lost his faith, he’s no longer an Orthodox Jew. He’s haunted by the death of his younger brother and struggles with some mental issues. His life has potential, there’s a young woman, Sarah (Malky Goldman) who has expressed interest in him, and he has a support group that is helping him deal with his issues.

He’s approached by Reb (Menashe Lustig) to be Shomer for a dead man, and his widow, Mrs. Latvik (Lynn Cohen). There are times when there is no immediate friend or family that can sit with the body, so a Shomer is required.

Yakov agrees, as he needs the money.

As he sits with the body, things begin to take a spooky turn as a low rumbling suggests something else is in the home, something malignant.

Or is it all in Yakov’s mind?

A rumination on the past, how it haunts us, and how we have to look forward and not behind us, The Vigil is an entertaining and thoughtful film filled with some well-orchestrated scares and rests easily on Ronen’s shoulders.

While obviously a smaller budgeted film, that works to the story’s benefit, forcing the filmmakers to come up with creative ways to tell their tale, and how they convey their scares and moments. I love the sequence when Yakov is watching the video and notices something in the background, and it just keeps upping the ante, because you know what’s going to happen, but it’s executed wonderfully.

Smartly executed and well-made The Vigil definitely surprised and entertained me. It’s not an all-out gorefest, it’s a quiet thoughtful horror with some frightening moments. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and glad that Flanagan’s podcast brought it to my attention.

If you’re looking for something a little outside of the mainstream horror feed from Hollywood, this one is well-worth your time. Take a look and settle in to think about how your past haunts you.