Review: Shudder’s ‘The Last Thing Mary Saw’ Is a Supernatural Period Drama

The Last Thing Mary Saw is now streaming only on Shudder. Reader Beware Spoilers!

We’ve witnessed tragic romances such as Romeo and Juliet, Orpheus and Eurydice, and even Jack and Rose. Set that premise in the 1800s, add some religious hypocrisy, forbidden love, torture, a dash of the supernatural, and you’ll get The Last Thing Mary Saw, now streaming on Shudder. Writer/ Director Edoardo Vitaletti first premiered his film at the 2021 Fantasia Film Festival before it was acquired by the genre streaming service. Starring Stefanie Scott (Insidious 3), Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan), Rory Culkin (Scream 4), and Judith Roberts (Eraserhead, Dead Silence).

Set in Southold, New York in 1843, and told through flashbacks during an interrogation of a murder suspect on trial, the structure jumps around as the information unfolds. The daughter of an upper-class family, Mary (Scott), and the housemaid Eleanor (Fuhrman) have been courting each other quite openly. So much so that it’s drawn the attention of the puritanical family. Seen as an abomination to their faith, Mary’s shamed and fearful parents (Carolyn McCormick and Michael Laurence) seek the counsel of the family Matriarch (Roberts). Who believes she is judge, jury, and executioner, and knows what needs to be done to stop this sinful behavior.

As “corrections” are doled out in the form of torture by kneeling on uncooked rice. A punishment that seems more sadistic than that of penance. An act that has already left the family guard (P.J. Sosko) so crippled that he can’t escape if he tried. As the two women are separated and confined to their quarters, they attempt to see each other by various means. Still, unfortunately for them, someone is always watching, and their midnight rendezvous are constantly interrupted, resulting in more severe “corrections.”

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When the Matriarch is found dead and the women accused, a plan is hatched to finally be together without fear of torture or worse. Constantly having to navigate the ever-watching family and the arrival of a mysterious disfigured traveler (Culkin) who could derail their plans. The two must make a decision that will grant them their freedom, but at the highest cost. 

Doing a period piece is always a high wire act. Films like The VVitch used period dress, speech, and folklore to transport us to that time and place. The Last Thing Mary Saw does a fine job at setting the expectations then delivering them with a moody atmosphere, and appropriate set design that would reflect the religious extremism of the time. Though not as successful as the former, I wasn’t taken out of the film at any point.

The use of chapters for each act gives it an almost fairytale effect of storytelling. There is a book that the father believes is the root of the behavior, with poems and wood cuttings added throughout to act as a parallel narrative to the actions unfolding.

Though marketed as a horror film, I found it could have played just as well as a period drama minus a few elements. There are supernatural moments that I was happy to see but were never really explored or explained, and perhaps by design. The notions of witchcraft or perhaps divine intervention are never really explained. So we’re left to decide on our own, which is the driving force of these powers. There are some unnerving scenes; the splinter, a rape, the tea moment, and the Matriarch herself is absolutely haunting with every appearance, but I wouldn’t say there are any genuine scares. The images do stay with you, and they’ll occupy your thoughts after the credits roll. 

There are some stunning setups in The Last Thing Mary Saw. Vitaletti chooses shots that feel like you’re looking at a still-life oil painting. There are many moments where there is no dialogue, only glimpses, and reactions, but say all they need to. The muted colors, lamp-lit scenes, shadow and darkness all add to the heaviness surrounding the characters and their choices. 

Stefanie Scott and Isabelle Fuhrman both get lost in their roles, giving brave performances in their vulnerability to their love and pain. Navigating a society that doesn’t see them as equals, without the extra hardship for who they choose to devote themselves to. I chose sides while watching even though the film tests your loyalty at times. Culkin is cunning and charismatic, as we’ve come to expect from his roles, but also sadistic and relentless in his despicableness. Though only on-screen briefly, his impact on the story is immeasurable.

With the addition of The Last thing Mary Saw, Shudder is expanding its ever-growing and well-received LGBTQIA filmography. Edoardo Vitaletti presents a strong outing in his first film while setting the bar for his future projects. The commentary on the acceptance and tolerance of love, despite orientation, sadly is still prevalent to this day despite the advances over the years. The message of silence in the face of opposition is a powerful theme, and not speaking up for others in their time of need, can lead to much greater sins. 3.5/5

★★★★

You can check out the trailer The Last Thing Mary Saw below, and the film is now streaming only on Shudder. Be sure to follow ScaryNerd for all things horror, sci-fi and more.

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