Mother of Movies will watch anything starring or written by Larry Fessenden. Can’t help myself, the guy is just cool. In the case of Jakob’s Wife movie, he stars as a minister for the church. Married to Anne (played by Barbara Crampton) the story stems from an angle of the unfulfilled better half. Bashing you over the head with social commentary about the walls that barricade many who are married. The invisible limitations allow for things we are told by society we should want. And of course, what follows in the aftermath? I shouldn’t have to say this, but of course, this applies to some marriages… not all.
First up, a girl has gone missing. The obligatory investigation ensues. A discussion turns up the usual anecdotal conversation about how somehow because she is a girl, a grain of blame could lie with her. As Jakob’s wife, Anne is overlooked, undervalued, and taken for granted by her small-town husband. He touts the sentiments of the church when it comes to marriage and all the roles that come with it are steadfastly followed. The narrative unblinkingly shows that Anne and Jakob are stuck in a proverbial rut. Given these points, Anne takes an opportunity to meet about a project headed by an old boyfriend. He reminds her just how much life is being sucked out of her, even if she has it all.
The Rules of Marriage
Taken in by the allure of her old flame, the two talk about taking things further. As Anne makes the decision to stay faithful to her husband, a crate of rats devours Tom. From the corner of the screen, something overshadows her before the screen goes dark. Overnight, Anne’s grip on life changes, and suddenly what Anne wants, Anne gets. With this in mind, Jakob’s authority fades into obscurity, Annes rises like a phoenix and sets to soar.
If you hadn’t guessed already, “Jakob’s Wife” is a vampire movie. On the upside, it thwarts the overdone raw meat devotion and instead sees Anne ask a butcher how much blood she can obtain. She vomits it back out in sprays that would take days to clean up and I begin to wonder if everything in vampire movies is scotch guarded as it all seems to disappear without a trace. The horror film follows most traditional vampire rules. Sunlight is a nuisance. Stakes to the heart are a necessity for killing them, and the idea that killing the head vampire will restore everything back to normal is discussed as Anne and Jakob become vampire hunters looking to restore normality.
Coupled with the aesthetics of gender norms, The Master in this film is a lady vampire. The Master thinks Anne has what it takes to join her in the darkness. Her female form blends in nicely with the already steadfast themes of liberation and freedom as she fights for the right recruits. She wants those that want to make their own decisions and not be stifled by oppression.
Jakob’s Wife Movie Trailer
Vampires Can’t Have White Teeth
Along with the quirky take on all things vampire, small surprises breach the road most taken. Seeing Anne in the dentist’s chair getting her teeth whitened before realizing she’s a vampire was one of the highlights for me. Who needs sunlight when you can burn your entire mouth almost off with UV rays indoors?
Jakob’s Wife 2021 manages to never take itself too seriously while getting deep and meaningful at the same time. Seeing Crampton in a role like this suits her to a tee. Both Fessenden and Crampton hold up their roles in a perfect harmony that fits like a moth to a flame.
Jakob’s Wife movie is rated
3.5 I think I’ll go and eat worms out of 5
Quote From Jakob’s Wife Movie
You’re scared to fight for me because ever since we got married you haven’t had to. I’ve always just been there doing exactly what you expected me to do, You don’t know how to fight for me because you’ve never done it. So instead, you’re just writing me off as some fallen scarlet woman.
Anne – Quote from Jakob’s Wife
Shudder Movies
- Jakobs Wife was directed by Travis Stevens (Girl on the Third Floor) who co-wrote the film alongside Mark Steensland (The Special) and Kathy Charles (Castle Freak).
- JAKOB’S WIFE will be available exclusively to stream on Shudder from August 19, 2021. Available in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
- The film was acquired as a screener for review purposes.
