In the Earth

In the Earth

Year: 2021

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Ben Wheatley

Echo Score: 57
Horror

With the world facing a viral outbreak, a scientist and a park scout venture deep into a forest to investigate a mysterious signal. As darkness falls, the woods become a terrifying landscape of ancient, primal forces. They must confront the escalating dangers and navigate the increasingly surreal environment to survive the night.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – In the Earth (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of In the Earth (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events of the movie unfold during a time of crisis marked by a devastating pandemic impacting the nation. This backdrop heightens the sense of urgency and dread as the characters navigate their treacherous surroundings, exacerbated by the isolation and danger of the forest environment.

Location

Bristol, Rural Forest

The movie is set in a secluded research outpost located in an unusually fertile forest near Bristol, England. This location is known for its dense, ancient woodlands and local folklore, particularly the tale of Parnag Fegg, a legendary woodland spirit. The forest serves as a key backdrop for the characters' harrowing journey and exploration of nature's dark mysteries.

🌲 Forest 🏞️ Research Outpost

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

Main Characters – In the Earth (2021)

Meet the key characters of In the Earth (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Martin Lowery (Joel Fry)

Martin Lowery is a dedicated scientist tasked with reaching a remote research outpost during a national crisis. He exhibits determination and resourcefulness but faces both physical and mental challenges as the plot unfolds. His complicated feelings for Olivia and his struggle for survival drive his character's arc.

🔬 Scientist 🌲 Survivor 💔 Ex-Lover

Olivia Wendle (Hayley Squires)

Olivia Wendle is a passionate researcher whose work is tied to the mysterious forest and its folklore. Her relationship with Martin adds depth to her character, revealing both professional ambition and personal conflict. Olivia's decisions, particularly regarding Zach, highlight her complex motivations.

🔬 Researcher 💔 Ex-Lover 🌱 Innovator

Alma (Ellora Torchia)

Alma is Martin's park guide, showcasing bravery and resourcefulness throughout their harrowing trek. Driven by a sense of duty to help others, she faces her fears as she unravels the dark secrets of the forest. Alma's resilience is key in the fight for survival against various threats.

🧗‍♀️ Guide 🦸‍♀️ Brave 💔 Ally

Zach (Reece Shearsmith)

Zach is portrayed as a mysterious and menacing figure, deeply intertwined with Olivia's past. His motivations are ambiguous, leaving viewers questioning his actions and intentions throughout the film. As the story progresses, Zach's darker nature emerges, heightening the tension and sense of danger.

🔪 Antagonist 👤 Enigma 💔 Ex-Husband

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

Major Themes – In the Earth (2021)

Explore the central themes of In the Earth (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Mysticism

Mysticism plays a vital role in shaping the characters' experiences as they confront an ancient presence tied to local folklore. The blending of scientific inquiry with mythical elements creates a sense of unease, challenging their understanding of reality. This theme emphasizes the tension between rationality and superstition as they interact with the supernatural.

💔 Relationships

The complexities of past relationships are explored through the dynamics between Martin, Olivia, and Zach. Their history, including former romantic ties and the lingering emotional baggage, impacts their interactions and decisions throughout the film. This theme illustrates how personal connections can influence survival in dire situations.

😨 Survival

Survival is a central theme as the characters confront both physical and psychological threats in the wilderness. Their struggle against the elements and malevolent forces challenges their resilience and resourcefulness. The film emphasizes the instinctual drive to survive in the face of unimaginable dangers.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:24

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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.

Psychedelic survival horror films like In the Earth

Characters are psychologically broken down by a malevolent and ancient natural world.If you liked the primal dread and surreal psychological breakdown of In the Earth, this list features movies where characters confront ancient, intelligent forces in the wilderness. These stories share a similar vibe of scientific hubris meeting supernatural horror and a heavy, oppressive mood.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a linear journey into a dangerous natural setting, where the protagonists' mission is quickly subverted by an incomprehensible entity. The plot unfolds as a series of escalating, surreal encounters that chip away at their grasp on reality, leading to a climax that is often ambiguous and transformative.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared core experience: the confrontation between humanity and a primal, intelligent natural world. They create a cohesive feel through a blend of psychological horror, survival tension, and psychedelic visuals that question reality.

Intense body horror and science gone wrong movies like In the Earth

Graphic physical trauma meets the terrifying consequences of tampering with nature.For viewers who appreciated the graphic injury and themes of scientific hubris in In the Earth, this collection features similar stories of brutal physical trauma and terrifying experiments. These movies share a high-intensity, dark tone and often feature ambiguous, heavy endings.

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Narrative Summary

Stories often begin with a rational, scientific investigation that spirals into chaos as experiments fail or ancient forces are awakened. The plot is driven by escalating physical danger, featuring graphic body horror elements that serve as punishment for human arrogance, leading to a bleak or ambiguous conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their unflinching depiction of body horror and the thematic focus on the dangers of scientific overreach. They deliver a coherently intense and disturbing viewing experience centered on physical and psychological violation.

Unlock the Full Story of In the Earth

Don't stop at just watching — explore In the Earth in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what In the Earth is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

In the Earth Summary

Read a complete plot summary of In the Earth, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

In the Earth Summary

In the Earth Timeline

Track the full timeline of In the Earth with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

In the Earth Timeline

In the Earth Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of In the Earth? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

In the Earth Ending Explained

In the Earth Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of In the Earth that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

In the Earth Spoiler-Free Summary

More About In the Earth

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about In the Earth: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About In the Earth

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