CORDELIA: ‘Hunter… hunter? Or is it the hunted…. Or haunted?’
One twin, Cordelia has unfortunately suffered a trauma. The other, Caroline has not. Caroline is stable, and tries to support her sister. However, both are rather self-absorbed, which doesn’t make it easy. Caroline goes away for the week end, and the neurosis ridden Cordelia has to fend for herself, and even though she’s clearly very anxious, swears she’ll be fine. And that’s where what might have been an interesting study of how one twin can go mad while another stays sane, makes its first detour from audience expectations. Not that there is anything wrong with this, but CORDELIA, continues to jump about with expectations, and because of this, relating or engaging with the central character could be rather tricky for some.
Also, Cordelia’s character, although well drawn, and earnestly played by Antonia Cambell-Hughes, is selfish, quite hard edged, neurotic, and generally unlikable. OK for a straight horror film, as often these types of characters are compelling, and we can empathize with them, but CORDELIA, is not really that either. The film sits somewhere between ghost story, psychological thriller and drama, and although down right weird and creepy at times, it often sacrifices substance for style or a trope. Alas, the audience is left wondering why, which can be interesting depending on your point of view.