Refuge (2023) – When Trauma Becomes Ritual
Refuge is a haunting supernatural thriller that transforms veteran trauma into ritualized horror. Sergeant Rick Pedroni returns from duty visibly changed. His wife Kate struggles with sleepless nights and strange behavior at home. She suspects PTSD, but soon realizes something far more disturbing is at play.
Rick begins forming secret gatherings with fellow veterans in hidden rooms, all wearing identical masks and reciting chants in unison. What starts as confusion turns into terror as Kate witnesses eerie ceremonies that blend grief, anger, and a cult‑like devotion. In desperation she seeks help from Ibrahim a local spiritual guide who represents calm faith in the eye of shame and madness.
Visually the film is memorable. Shadows stretch across empty walls. Masked figures move in ritual around flickering candles. The camera lingers on silent faces and ritual objects while ambient sounds swell then vanish. Atmosphere becomes the real antagonist. The muted color palette underscores emotional numbness and isolation.
Sophie Simnett delivers quiet intensity as Kate. She portrays a woman unraveling from fear into fierce resolve. Her determination builds the emotional weight beneath the supernatural elements. Raza Jaffrey as Ibrahim provides balance and subtle wisdom. His presence adds depth without melodrama.
Refuge does not chase jump scares. Instead it sows slow dread in long silent sequences where threat is unspoken and ever present. Ritual scenes escalate tension until the air feels thick with foreboding. It is a slow burn that blends thriller structure with cult horror undertones.
Not all echoes land. Some viewers find the script overly reliant on metaphor and dreamlike imagery. Dialogue occasionally feels weightless and character arcs remain underdeveloped. Yet the core concept—when trauma becomes collective ritual—lingers long after the credits.
Refuge is not traditional horror. It is a visual metaphor about grief control and belief turned upside down. It dares to ask what happens when soldiers return home broken and find community not refuge.
