A bold debut feature from Romola Garai, Amulet may be too dense for some but rewards the curious.

Tomas (Alec Secareanu) is a former soldier working as a labourer, but surviving day to day by sleeping with other refugees in a rundown squat. When he happens to meet Sister Claire (Imelda Staunton), she introduces him to Magda (Carla Juri), who lives in a house in dire need of repair while looking after her invalid mother. The nun suggests Tomas does jobs around the place in exchange for a room to stay. Despite the reluctance of both parties to engage, Tomas soon sets about working on the house and eventually begins to get to know Magda. His terrible memories of his previous life – and a discovery of mysterious amulet – disturb him as does the strange noises he hears in the house.

Amulet is a powerful film that isn’t easy to watch at times. Not from the elements of horror, more the stirring uneasiness that the atmosphere provokes. When you think the narrative is going to familiar territory, Garai twists things and add more layers to the mystery. For every psychological beat, there’s a physical scare waiting. All three main actors are all superb – particularly Secareanu, who has a melancholic charm and a brooding intensity. It’s a movie that you’ll perhaps not be sure of, but it will stay with you after you’ve seen it.