Jakob’s Wife is now streaming only on Shudder. Spoilers Ahead!!
Like so many in my generation, the 80s hold a special place in our hearts when it comes to the horror films of that era. Classics such as Chopping Mall, Re-Animator, From Beyond and Castle Freak all have one thing in common, Barbara Crampton. Premiering this week on Shudder, is her latest film, Jakob’s Wife, which was directed by Travis Stevens (Girl on the Third Floor).
After a hiatus from acting, Crampton made her return with titles such as We Are Still Here and You’re Next which was a breath of fresh air for the genre. Jakob’s Wife is a passion project which she spent years developing, and it was clearly worth the wait.
Anne (Crampton) is the submissive, soft spoken wife to preacher Jakob (Larry Fessenden: House of the Devil, Stake Land) who’s sermons demand a man, and his wife should live by the rules of the bible. This dynamic is put into practice as Jakob barely lets Anne get a word in during conversations and he expects a warm breakfast every morning. He’s a man of routine and expects his wife to know her place in it.
Anne meets up with an old sweetheart, Tom Lowe (Robert Russler), and after some drinks, they find themselves in an abandoned factory Tom is interested in. When a pair of mysterious crates are discovered, the two are viciously attacked by a mysterious dark figure. Bloody and confused, Anne returns home to discover puncture marks on her neck, but something has awoken in her as well.
Almost immediately Jakob notices a change to the routine and he’s not amused. The curtains are drawn, his wife isn’t home and there is no breakfast waiting for him, he fears the power dynamic is shifting.
Anne on the other hand is feeling more physically and sexually alive than she has in years. There is color in her cheeks and in her clothes, a confidence, enhanced physical strength, and for the first time in ages, people are paying attention. There is a thirst growing for life, for passion and for most of all, blood.
Jakob becomes more suspicious and doesn’t know if he likes the new Anne, as the house is being rearranged and their status quo is altered. After he discovers just who Anne has become in a most gruesome fashion, he knows he must put a stop to this. The only way to do that is to find and kill the Master (Bonnie Aarons: The Nun) who turned her.
Like a dime store Van Helsing, he sets off to put things back the way they were, but is he doing this to save his wife? Or to get her old self back? Maybe there is an awakening happening in him too that has been bottled up for too long?
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While a vampire story on the surface, Jakob’s Wife is a brilliant commentary on marriage and what happens when one person decides to change themselves for the better. Do you accept and grow with your partner? Or are you left behind? Just how far are you willing to go for devotion? Crampton and Fassenden are perfect in their roles. Their chemistry as both, actors and offscreen friends allows them the vulnerability to portray a marriage that has gone stagnant.
So much is said between the two without a word of dialogue. Pitch perfect delivery and timing elevate the script from a good story into a modern classic. The evolution of the pair as the narrative plays out is a testament to the years honing their craft.
Aarons as the Master is memorable character in her own right. Through brief glimpses of glowing eyes and dark forms descending from up above. The air of mystery surrounding the creature builds the tension until the glorious reveal. I applaud the direction of giving her the look of the classic Nosferatu, instead of just a couple of teeth inserts. There was truly a style choice and I’m happy they went for the retro design.
The use of practical effects is a welcome addition adding to the reality of the situation, without any distracting CGI. But don’t worry, though a tale of rebirth and finding your true self, there is plenty of gore and blood to satisfy even the most hardcore horror enthusiast.
Masterful performances, smart dialogue, a mixture of humor, heart and the grotesque blend seamlessly to make a tale that I’m sure will be fan favorite. As Barbara Crampton continues her career, her ability to find and develop projects that she champions is a blessing to all who love a great story. Jakob’s Wife will entertain and make you think about how one should never settle, stop growing or fighting for the ones we cherish, without waiting for a vampire to bite you first. 4.5/5
You can check out the trailer for Jakob’s Wife below and the film is now streaming on Shudder. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for more of all things horror, sci-fi and more!
K.B. O’Neil is an artist, writer and musician living in Cincinnati, Ohio. He loves movies, books, video games, snuggling his two pups and all things Horror. When not working he can be found getting into adventures with his wife and their new daughter.