RATING: A

Quiver Distribution presents an Eye Eye Pictures production in association with Anton, Film i Vast, Media Finance Capital, and New Europe Film Sales. Written and directed by Dara Van Dusen. Produced by Dyveke Bjørkly Graver. Based on the novel by Stewart O’Nan. Cinematography by Kate McCullough. Edited by Fredrik Morheden.

Stars Johnny Flynn, John C. Reilly, Kristine Kujath Thorp, Gustav Lindh, Hilton Pelser, Andrew Whipp, and Daniel Weyman. 

A man’s moral compass comes in complete disarray in this emotionally charged Western based on the Stewart O’Nan novel. 

It is the year 1870 in the small town of Friendship, Wisconsin. The town is inhabited by a band of Scandinavian immigrants. One man, Jacob Hansen, has three roles in the town. He’s the sheriff, the undertaker, and the local pastor. At first, things seem peaceful. However, trouble soon begins when a townsperson is revealed to have diphtheria. Knowing the disease can spread easily, the local doctor suggests quarantining the town. 

As the town’s leader, Jacob’s attempts to protect the town result in a rift in his family, only to get worse when his toddler daughter ends up getting sick as well. Making matters worse is a wildfire that is heading towards the town. Jacob soon finds himself in a situation that will potentially destroy everything he has: the town, his family, and his sanity. 

Dara Van Dusen makes her feature film directorial debut based on a novel by Stewart O’Nan. In addition to directing, she has written the script. The film is a passion project for her as she read the novel when she was 19 years old and it resonated with her. The story, which revolves around a man who practically has to be the town leader and finds himself dealing with the rigors of nature and the environment, throws off his good-natured moral compass into near oblivion. 

Johnny Flynn pulls off an excellent performance as Jacob, who finds himself town between his loyalty to the town and his loyalty to his family when he deals with both a deadly virus and an impending wildfire. It is bad enough that he has to take over three positions, as it is a small town, but he also has to contend with the local doctor, excellently played in an against-type role by John C. Reilly as the two butt heads due to their own conditions towards what is considered just and right. 

Kudos also must go to Kristine Kujath Thorp in the role of Marta, Jacob’s wife. We see a major transformation for her character as she goes from a loving wife and mother to an unhinged one due to her husband’s actions. While Jacob finds herself conflicted, we see her slowly devolve into a mad woman due to what has transpired in town. This comes especially when tragedy slowly peeks its ugly head in a very emotionally charged scene that is just a bit too much to talk about. And there are some very shocking turns in the film that will definitely set to make your jaw drop and your tears shed. 

A Prayer for the Dying is an emotionally charged drama that brings something fresh to the Western, and the definition of an excellent feature film debut for, in this case, Dara Van Dusen.

The film will be released in select theaters on October 9.