Review of Seven Cemeteries (2024)

Seven Cemeteries (2024) is a dark, atmospheric thriller that offers a haunting blend of mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Blackwell, the film invites audiences into a chilling world where the past, death, and secrets are intertwined, all set against the eerie backdrop of seven ancient cemeteries scattered across a desolate, forgotten landscape.

The story follows Lily (played by Emma Stone), a determined investigative journalist who, after receiving an anonymous tip, embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious deaths linked to seven cemeteries—each with its own gruesome legend. As Lily digs deeper into the ancient burial grounds, she uncovers unsettling clues that suggest a malevolent force is at work, and the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ may not be as quiet as they seem.

Stone delivers a captivating performance as Lily, whose vulnerability and determination create a compelling central character. Her journey through the foggy, decaying cemeteries is as much about solving a mystery as it is about confronting her own demons. Stone expertly conveys Lily’s fear and intrigue as she unravels secrets long buried in the past, while also showing a deep emotional range as the story’s chilling events begin to take a toll on her sanity.

The cinematography in Seven Cemeteries is nothing short of breathtaking. The film is soaked in moody, atmospheric visuals, with mist-covered graveyards, rusted iron gates, and decaying tombstones all contributing to a sense of dread. The cemeteries themselves are beautifully designed, each one reflecting the cultural history and dark legends that surround it. The camera lingers on the desolation of the landscape, creating a sense of isolation that perfectly complements the film’s haunting tone.

One of the standout aspects of Seven Cemeteries is its ability to blend supernatural horror with deeply emotional storytelling. As Lily uncovers the stories of those buried in the cemeteries, she is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about her own past. This adds layers of emotional depth to the plot, turning the film from a mere ghost story into a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and loss. The combination of psychological tension and eerie supernatural occurrences keeps viewers on edge throughout.

The supporting cast also delivers strong performances. Ben Whishaw plays Max, a local historian who initially aids Lily in her investigation but soon becomes entangled in the very dark forces he has spent his life studying. Whishaw’s quiet intensity perfectly contrasts Stone’s more frantic energy, creating a dynamic and intriguing partnership that adds complexity to the film’s unraveling mystery. Tessa Thompson also shines in a brief yet impactful role as a spiritual medium who holds the key to unlocking the supernatural puzzle, providing an eerie but grounding presence in the otherwise chaotic investigation.

The film’s pacing is deliberate and methodical, slowly building tension with each pᴀssing moment. There are moments of pure suspense that make your heart race, especially when Lily uncovers the horrifying truth behind the deaths and the power the cemeteries hold. While the film leans heavily on its slow-burn tension, the final act delivers a gut-wrenching, unexpected twist that ties everything together in a way that will leave audiences both shocked and moved.

The soundtrack, composed by Max Richter, enhances the eerie atmosphere, with minimalist strings and haunting vocals that linger in the background, creating an unsettling yet beautiful score that perfectly complements the dark themes of the film. The music builds with the tension, offering moments of quiet introspection before the inevitable crescendos of terror.

In conclusion, Seven Cemeteries (2024) is an atmospheric, gripping thriller that deftly combines elements of horror, mystery, and emotional depth. With stellar performances, particularly from Emma Stone and Ben Whishaw, along with stunning cinematography and a haunting score, the film successfully pulls viewers into a world of secrets, death, and unresolved trauma. It’s a slow-burn mystery that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll, and a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural horror. Seven Cemeteries proves that the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ have stories to tell—and those stories might just be more dangerous than anyone could imagine.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.