This masterpiece, directed by Michelle Arthur, is a mystery thriller feature with a touch of horror and romance that stars Arthur herself as the narrator. “The Wisteria Manor,” which she adapted into a screenplay from Jay Scott Nixon’s novel, focuses on a young girl in 1751 who meets a tragic fate but finds herself resurrected soon after. As she finds her way back into the real world, she will help change lives forever. 

Told through artwork, photos, and footage, the film provides a unique perspective on the plot, keeping the audience enthralled for its entire runtime. Arthur expertly utilises the cinematic tools at her disposal to bring this story to life as she takes the audience down a rabbit hole of the supernatural.

Undoubtedly, the heart of the film is the stunning narration by Michelle Arthur. Using the magic of the spoken word, Arthur’s slow yet deep narration provides the perfect amount of exposition and emotion to this riveting film. Poignantly highlighting the pain behind the protagonist, Arthur’s resolute take as the narrative pointer makes for a fantastic addition to the film. 

Juggling four of the most important positions – producing, directing, screenwriting, and acting/narrating in a film’s making is no easy task, but Arthur manages to do so with flying colours. The writing is potent; imbuing drama and emotion in a supernatural story, Arthur manages to make the audience identify with the protagonist in the most unexpected of circumstances. Not only that but the characters that populate the film are all fascinating as well. How the story progresses and the unexpected twists that happen keep us on edge and the resolution of the story at the end is both satisfying and a little sad. 

Yet, it is in its visual artistry and film editing by Jeff Vernon that the film makes its mark. Just to reiterate, this is not your average film but a collage of stills and footage with Cinematographer Craig Purdum that make it feel like a film due to the narration. The visuals are deep and complex, often telling a story of their own. The characters are drawn perfectly and the set design is also very impressive. 

The musical score by R. Kim Shultz is absolutely beautiful, setting the tone for the entire film. The low notes of the piano work their magic as the story picks up pace, imbuing flavour and depth into the twists and turns that lie ahead. Coupled with the gorgeous imagery that makes up the film, the music is sublime and a key part of what makes the production tick. 

Thus, “The Wisteria Manor” is an aesthetically-pleasing, engaging, and highly-original film that manages to work in multiple ways, transporting the audience on a mysterious journey across the 18th and 19th centuries. From its spot on narration to the music, each aspect of this ‘film’ makes it unique. Even in its current form, without a full cast and crew for all the various characters, we found ourselves totally immersed in the experience. 

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