A small backwoods community worships a pit that heals them, and sacrifices to it anyone whose likeness appears on a jug sculpted by the town prophet. It’s a simple way of life. Ada, however, struggles to abide by the rules and beliefs of her small village. Jug Face is a powerful and surprisingly emotional movie, with outstanding performances punctuated by glimpses of brutality. A sense of restlessness and unease permeates the story, an effect that creates a sympathetic bond with the heroine. In a lot of ways, it’s a coming-of-age film mixed cleverly with supernatural horror. It’s a stellar production of an intensely gripping story, with an equally fantastic cast. It may not have rewritten horror in any grand sense, but it is a beautifully crafted, highly enjoyable addition to the genre.
