A Field in England

A Field in England

Year: 2014

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Ben Wheatley

DramaHistoryThrillerHorror

During the English Civil War, a group of soldiers abandons their post and discovers a mysterious field. There, they encounter a charismatic alchemist searching for a legendary treasure. The group's initial hope soon descends into paranoia and violence as they journey through the strange landscape, encountering unsettling visions and confronting the sinister forces tied to the field's magical mushrooms.

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Timeline & Setting – A Field in England (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Field in England (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

English Civil War

The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists. This tumultuous period, marked by chaos and the struggle for power, significantly influences the characters' actions and drives the story's conflict. The desperation of the characters mirrors the larger societal upheaval of the time.

Location

Field in England, Ale House

The movie takes place in a mysterious field in England, known for its unusual abundance of mushrooms that play a pivotal role in the events. This eerie landscape becomes a battleground where friendship and betrayal unfold. The ale house, promised by Cutler, represents the normalcy and refuge that eludes the characters throughout their harrowing journey.

🌾 Field 🍺 Ale House

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

Main Characters – A Field in England (2014)

Meet the key characters of A Field in England (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Whitehead

Whitehead is an alchemist's assistant portrayed as introspective and morally conflicted. His journey reflects an evolution from innocence to a harsh understanding of survival's cost. As the narrative unfolds, he becomes the grounding force amidst chaos, culminating in a profound, solitary realization of his lost comrades.

🧙‍♂️ Alchemist 💔 Mourning 📜 Seeker

Cutler

Cutler emerges as a rugged soldier with a mix of bravado and fatalism. Initially a protector, his actions are marred by impulsivity and carelessness, leading to tragic consequences. His descent from a reluctant hero to a tragic figure underscores the cost of violent conflict.

🔫 Soldier ⚔️ Protector 😔 Tragic Hero

Jacob

Jacob is a seasoned veteran whose experience contrasts sharply with Friend's naivety. His struggle with the influence of the mushrooms highlights the thin line between sanity and madness, showcasing his bravery and eventual tragic downfall. His character represents the burden of past memories and camaraderie.

🪖 Veteran 🔄 Change ⚡ Tragic

Friend

Friend serves as the naïve counterpoint to Jacob's nuances. Eager yet ill-prepared for the world of conflict, his character arc underscores the harsh realities faced in dire circumstances. His tragic fate is a reminder of the vulnerability inherent in human connection and the price of folly.

👶 Naivety 🤭 Unfortunate ⚰️ Loss

O'Neill

O'Neill is introduced as cunning and manipulative, ultimately seeking to dominate Whitehead and exploit his abilities. His charm masks a dangerous ambition, leading to betrayals that culminate in his downfall. O'Neill embodies the chaos inherent in human greed and the moral ambiguities of survival.

💰 Greed 🦹‍♂️ Manipulator ⚔️ Antagonist

Commander Trower

Commander Trower represents unwavering authority during the chaos of the English Civil War. His strictness and determination to control the situation set the stage for Whitehead's perilous escape. Though his screen time is limited, his presence is crucial in illustrating the oppressive forces at play.

⚔️ Authority 🚫 Oppression 🛡️ Military

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

Major Themes – A Field in England (2014)

Explore the central themes of A Field in England (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Conflict

Conflict is central to the narrative, reflected in both the external battles of the English Civil War and the internal struggles among the characters. Each character is forced to confront loyalty, deception, and the harsh realities of survival. The violent clashes highlight the chaos of both war and personal relationships.

🍄 Surrealism

The use of hallucinogenic mushrooms introduces a surreal element to the story, distorting reality and influencing characters' decisions. This theme explores the blurring of sanity and madness, revealing deeper truths amidst the chaos. The surreal experiences serve as a catalyst for the characters' transformations and the unfolding tragedy.

🤝 Friendship

The theme of friendship is poignantly intertwined with betrayal and loss. The bond between the characters becomes a source of strength but also a catalyst for tragedy. Their relationships evolve through shared experiences, ultimately emphasizing the idea that true treasure lies in human connection, not material fortune.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:59

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Historical Films with Psychological Descent like A Field in England

Period dramas where characters spiral into darkness, haunted by their time.Discover movies like A Field in England where historical settings fuel a descent into madness. If you enjoyed the English Civil War backdrop as a catalyst for paranoia and hallucination, this list features similar stories where the past becomes a psychological prison.

oppressiveparanoidunsettlingmelancholicsurrealhistorical horrordescent into madness

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with characters entrenched in a historically authentic world—a war, a rigid society, a remote settlement. An external pressure or internal flaw triggers a gradual or rapid unravelling of their sanity. The narrative explores the erosion of reason, often incorporating surreal or supernatural elements rooted in the era's beliefs, leading to a bleak or ambiguous conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on using a historical context to amplify a psychological thriller or horror narrative. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a commitment to showing how the specific anxieties of a period can manifest as hallucinations, paranoia, and a complete loss of self.

Slow Burn Claustrophobic Horror Movies like A Field in England

Tense journeys where survival turns inward, breeding paranoia in confined spaces.If you liked the oppressive, confined tension of A Field in England, this list features similar slow burn horror films. These movies trap characters in unsettling spaces, forcing them to confront internal demons and group paranoia in a slow, deliberate descent.

claustrophobicslow burnparanoidoppressivepsychological horrorgroup dynamicssurvivalunsettling

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a group, often already under stress, becoming confined to a single location—a field, a house, a ship. A catalyst, sometimes supernatural or unexplainable, pits them against each other. The plot unfolds through long, tense sequences focused on character interaction and psychological manipulation, leading to a violent or tragic resolution that highlights the fragility of human bonds under pressure.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific mix of slow pacing, high psychological intensity, and a claustrophobic setting that acts as a character itself. The similarity lies in the immersive, uncomfortable experience of watching trust disintegrate and sanity unravel in real-time within a tightly bounded world.

Unlock the Full Story of A Field in England

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A Field in England Summary

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A Field in England Summary

A Field in England Timeline

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A Field in England Timeline

A Field in England Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Field in England Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Field in England

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