An Taibhse, or, When Irish Eyes Are Shining

An Taibhse (The Ghost) is an Irish-language horror movie1 from 2024, set in the period after the Great Famine. It deals with a young woman, Máire, and her father traveling alone to a remote Edwardian mansion to become its caretakers for the winter. After they arrive, Máire fears that the malevolent spirit she calls Alexander has followed them to the new house. The movie is gorgeous, full of every-frame-a-painting cinematography that emphasizes the solitude and the emptiness of the house. We see the contrast of the stark, bare servants quarters against the parts of the house where the family would stay, and it’s a perfect setting for a ghost story. Edwardian houses suggest a sparing opulence, untouchable wealth that still feels empty. And we see just enough of the other rooms, and the grounds surrounding the house, to be repeatedly reminded that the father and daughter are the only two living people for miles. It’s also very dark, with a lot of black hallways or rooms lit only by an…