Jakob’s Wife Movie Trailer Quick Taster: No Spoilers, Just Vibes
Before diving into the full review, here’s a short teaser that sets the tone for Jakob’s Wife no spoilers, just glimpses. It’s designed for those who skip trailers but still want a taste.
Expect atmosphere, tension, and just enough intrigue to draw you in, without revealing key plot points.
▶️ Watch below, then scroll on for the full breakdown and verdict.
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The Rules of Marriage – Jakob’s Wife Review
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, he stars as a minister for the church. Married to Anne (played by Barbara Crampton), the story stems from the 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 that 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.
Taken in by the allure of her old flame, the two talk about taking things further. As Anne decides 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, and Anne 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 who want to make their own decisions and not be stifled by oppression.
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 perfect harmony that fits like a moth to a flame.
Verdict
Jakob’s Wife movie is rated
3.5 I think I’ll go and eat worms out of 5
Streaming Options
Shudder Movies
- Jacob’s 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.
