Written and directed by Matthew Scheffler, ‘The Traveler’ is a horror set in 1887 rural New York that doubles as a heartbreaking study of grief and isolation. Natalie Knepp delivers a gripping performance as Hannah, a widow who has shut herself away in her farmhouse, unable or unwilling to face the world after losing her husband Robert.
Scheffler’s attention to period detail is impeccable. From the richly textured production design to Fletcher Wolfe’s splendid cinematography, this is a film that is skilfully crafted. The cold, muted color palette seeps into the film’s very atmosphere, amplifying Hannah’s loneliness and despair. Sound design and lighting work hand in hand to build a thick tension that slowly coils tighter as the story unfolds.
When the local pastor visits, prompted by Hannah’s absence from church, she hides rather than answering. His words – that “Robert is always with her” – ignite a spark in her shattered world. The suspense creeps in here with a slow-burning, unnerving pace.
One night, Hannah wakes to someone entering the cabin. “Robert. I knew you wouldn’t leave me” is both comfort and dread. What follows is a chilling turn that raises the tension to a frightening crescendo. Scheffler’s command of horror is clear.
‘The Traveler’ is far more than a ghost story. It’s a raw journey of grief and the dangerous solace of clinging to what is lost. The film’s success lies in its climax – a twist that thriller fans will truly appreciate. Scheffler proves he knows how to build horror that sticks. Unmissable viewing.
